Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, March 15: Nityanand Rai, the Union Minister of State for Home, told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that instances of Naxalism or Left Wing Extremism (LWE) have decreased by 77% from an all-time high of 2,258 in 2009 to 509 in 2021.
In response to a written question, the minister added that civilian and security force deaths have decreased by 85 percent from an all-time high of 1,005 in 2010 to 147 in 2021. The Minister also stated that the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) districts, which are considered to be LWE affected, have been evaluated twice in the last four years, with a drop from 126 to 90 in 2018 and a further reduction to 70 in July-2021.
“The districts reporting LWE violence also reduced from 96 (2010) to 46 (2021),” Rai said in the written reply.
Apart from implementing flagship projects, the Minister stated that the Indian government has made many specific steps in LWE-affected areas, with a focus on expanding the road network, boosting communications connectivity, skilling, and financial inclusion.
States have their own surrender cum rehabilitation plans, according to the Minister, to urge Left Wing radicals to enter the mainstream.
“The Central Government also supports the states in the endeavour through ‘Surrender-cum Rehabilitation’ Policy as part of Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme and reimburses the expenditure incurred by the LWE affected States on rehabilitation of surrenderees under the SRE scheme,” he added.
