A Decade of Decisive Action: From Violence Reduction to Development and Reintegration
Introduction:
Union Government has moved from a fragmented counter-insurgency approach to a comprehensive and coordinated strategy that integrates Dialogue, Security, and Coordination. The government aims to make all affected districts Naxal-free by March 2026.
Declining Violence Trend
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- Between 2004–2014 and 2014–2024, violent incidents fell from 16,463 to 7,744, security personnel deaths declined from 1,851 to 509, and civilian fatalities from 4,766 to 1,495.
- Over 576 fortified police stations and 336 security camps have been built in vulnerable areas.
- The number of most-affected districts has dropped from 35 in 2014 to just 6 in 2024, signalling a geographical contraction of insurgent influence.
- To enhance real-time intelligence and field coordination, agencies now employ AI-based analytics, drone reconnaissance, satellite imagery, and forensic tracking.
- Night-landing helipads and improved mobility infrastructure ensure rapid response during operations.
Strategies to dismantle Naxalism:
1. Finance Networks-
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- Government has targeted the financial backbone of Naxalism. A dedicated vertical within the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized assets worth ₹40 crore, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) confiscated ₹12 crore linked to Naxal funding channels.
- Parallel efforts by state agencies have neutralised several extortion and smuggling networks. These coordinated actions have curtailed the capacity of insurgent groups to procure arms or sustain information warfare.
2. Development and Inclusion-
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- Road Connectivity: Over 12,000 km of roads completed with ₹20,815 crore sanctioned for 17,589 km.
- Digital & Mobile Connectivity: 2,343 2G and 2,542 4G towers sanctioned; 1,139 operational in high-risk zones.
- Financial Access: Over 1,000 bank branches, 900 ATMs, and 37,000+ banking correspondents established.
- Education & Skills: ₹495 crore allocated under Kaushal Vikas Yojana for 48 ITIs and 61 Skill Development Centres — many now operational.
Together, these measures are enabling socio-economic empowerment, generating employment, and integrating remote districts into the national development mainstream.
3. Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Former Cadres
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- Financial support of ₹5 lakh (high-rank) and ₹2.5 lakh (mid/low-rank) is provided, along with a ₹10,000 monthly stipend for 36 months of vocational training.
- In 2025 alone, 521 cadres surrendered, and over 1,000 surrenders were recorded in Chhattisgarh within two years.
- Programmes like the Bastariya Battalion, with 1,143 recruits from local tribal communities, symbolise the transformation of former conflict zones into partners in peace and progress.
4. Proactive Recovery
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- Sustained intelligence-based operations such as Black Forest, Octopus, Double Bull, and Chakrabandha have dismantled major Naxal command structures.
- Strategic zones such as Budha Pahar, Parasnath, Baramsia, and Chakrabandha, once insurgent strongholds, are now under administrative control.
- The entry of security forces into Abujhmaad, a region long dominated by the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army, marks a historic achievement in state reclamation.
Limitations and Challenges Ahead
While progress is undeniable, experts caution that deep-rooted socio-economic vulnerabilities still persist, like-
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- Reports by The Hindu and Indian Express note that security successes must be matched by faster development execution to prevent re-emergence of discontent.
- According to ORF analyses, differing capacities of state police forces and lack of consistent central-state coordination continue to hinder unified action.
- Excessive militarisation or delays in land and forest rights implementation risk alienating tribal populations.
- Limited post-surrender livelihood support remains a weak link, leading to sporadic relapses in some regions.
- Analysts warn that the goal of a fully Naxal-free India by March 2026 must be backed by long-term governance and institutional continuity beyond short-term operations.
Conclusion:
Yet, true victory lies not merely in territorial control but in the restoration of trust between the state and its people.
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