There has been a 36 per cent reduction in incidents related to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) or Naxalism in 2022 as compared to 2018, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Rai stated that there was a 59 per cent decrease in the number of deaths among security forces and civilians resulting from such violence.

According to Rai, Chhattisgarh witnessed a 22 per cent decline in LWE-related incidents, coupled with a substantial 60 per cent reduction in resultant fatalities. The Minister highlighted a 76 per cent decline in LWE-related violent incidents nationwide in 2022 compared to the peak observed in 2010.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh: 2 dead, 1 injured in IED blast in Naxal-hit Narayanpur

The number of resultant deaths, including both security forces and civilians, has seen a 90 per cent decrease, dropping from the peak of 1,005 in 2010 to 98 in 2022.

“The geographical spread of LWE violence has also been constricted, and the districts reporting violence also reduced from 96 (2010) to 45 (2022),” Rai said.

Attributing the success to a holistic approach, Rai mentioned the National Policy and Action Plan approved in 2015. The plan incorporates a multi-pronged strategy, combining security measures, development initiatives, and safeguarding the rights and entitlements of local communities.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh Elections 2023: ‘Congress empowers terrorists, Naxalites in India’, says PM Modi

Detailing the government’s efforts, Rai said, “While on the security front, the Central government assists the LWE-affected state governments by providing Central Armed Police Forces battalions, training, provision of funds through schemes like Security Related Expenditure (SRE) and Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), funds for modernisation of State police forces, equipment and arms, sharing of intelligence, construction of fortified police stations on development side, the Central government has taken various measures including construction of roads, installation of mobile towers, improving network of banks, post offices, health and education facilities in the LWE areas.”

Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, Rai revealed that Rs 1,648.23 crore have been released to LWE-affected states since 2018-19, with Rs 587.96 crore allocated for Chhattisgarh.

Rai highlighted initiatives such as strengthening Special Forces (SFs) and Special Intelligence Branches (SIBs) under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), with Rs 969.80 crore sanctioned since 2017-18 for LWE-affected states, including Rs 276.20 crore for Chhattisgarh.

MoS Rai further highlighted the construction of 704 Fortified Police Stations (FPS) for LWE-affected states, including 148 for Chhattisgarh. Of these, 603 FPSs, with 120 in Chhattisgarh, have been successfully constructed, with 537 FPSs completed post-May 2014. He was reponsding to a question raised in Parliament.

(With inputs from ANI)