The incidents of Naxal [Left Wing Extremism (LWE) violence have reduced by 77 per cent from the high of 2,213 in 2010 to 509 in 2021, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha [Lower House of the Indian Parliament) on December 20, reports The Print. Similarly, resultant deaths (civilians and security forces) have reduced by 85 per cent from the high of 1,005 in 2010 to 147 in 2021, Rai said, adding that the declining trend continues in 2022. “Steadfast implementation of the national policy has resulted in consistent decline in violence in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas. Incidents of LWE violence have reduced by 77 per cent from the high of 2,213 in 2010 to 509 in 2021,” he said replying to a written question. The minister said geographical spread of the violence has also significantly reduced and only 191 Police Stations of 46 Districts reported LWE related violence in 2021 as compared to high of 465 Police Stations of 96 Districts in 2010. He said decline in geographical spread is also reflected in the reduced number of districts covered under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme and the number of SRE Districts reduced from 126 to 90 in April, 2018 and further to 70 in July, 2021. Similarly, Rai said the number of districts contributing approximately 90 per cent of the LWE violence, categorised as most LWE affected districts, came down to 30 from 35 in 2018 and further to 25 in 2021.
On being asked about the details of the number of security personnel killed by the Maoists during the last three years; and the details of urban Naxal in custody for unlawful activities as of date, Rai replied that in 2019, 52 security personnel were killed, in the year 2020, 43 were killed, in 2021, 50 were killed and in the year 2022 till November 30, only 15 security personnel were killed in LWE areas. “The government of India’s National Policy and Action Plan addresses Left Wing Extremism in all its manifestations, including urban activities. Law and Order is a state subject, custody details of Left Wing Extremists involved in LWE activities including urban areas are not maintained centrally,” he added.