Under the astute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, India has seen a significant reduction in Naxal-affected districts, as part of a concerted effort to combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). The number of districts affected by Naxalite violence has decreased from 126 in 2013 to barely 18 across seven states by 2024.

Since assuming office in 2014, PM Modi has prioritised tackling the long-standing challenge of Naxal terrorism, a Left-wing extremist insurgency that has plagued India’s hinterlands for decades. Rooted in socio-economic disparities and ideological extremism, Naxalism has posed a significant threat to internal security.

Naxalism, inspired by Maoist ideology, emerged in the late 1960s in Naxalbari, West Bengal, as a violent movement advocating for the rights of marginalised communities. Over the decades, it, however, morphed into a dangerous insurgency, spreading across states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Bihar—often referred to as the “Red Corridor".

Naxalites exploited socio-economic grievances, targeting government institutions, security forces and infrastructure while extorting funds from local businesses and mining operations. The movement thrived in remote, forested areas where State presence was weak and poverty, lack of education and unemployment provided fertile ground for recruitment of gullible youth by Naxalites.

Upon taking office, Modi recognised that a purely militaristic approach would not suffice to eradicate Naxalism. His government adopted a dual strategy—neutralising the armed threat through enhanced security operations and addressing the root causes of the insurgency through development and governance. This approach, often encapsulated in the phrase “Vikas aur Vishwas" (Development and Trust), aimed to dismantle Naxal networks while integrating affected communities into the mainstream.

One of the cornerstones of PM Modi’s war against Naxal terror has been the modernisation and intensification of security operations. The Modi government bolstered the capabilities of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), state police forces and specialised units like the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA). Improving intelligence-gathering mechanisms to pre-empt Naxal attacks was prioritised. The establishment of Multi-Agency Centers (MACs) and State Multi-Agency Centers (SMACs) facilitated real-time intelligence sharing between central and state agencies. This led to more precise operations, reducing collateral damage. Remember, under the erstwhile Congress regime, Naxalism thrived as the previous Manmohan Singh regime refused to acknowledge the problem, much less dealing with it.

PM Modi’s approach to combating Naxalism has been novel and nuanced, never losing sight of the bigger picture. Security forces were equipped with advanced weaponry, surveillance drones........

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