Left Wing Extremism Violence Down 88%: Centre
Government cites security push, development works and surrender policy in major gains against Left-Wing Extremism
- LWE-affected districts reduced from 126 in 2018 to just 8 by December 2025
- Violence incidents down 88% since 2010; deaths down 90%
- ₹3,681.73 crore released for security, training and rehabilitation since 2014-15
- Roads, telecom, schools and banking expanded in LWE-hit regions
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th Feb: The Government of India on Wednesday said Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has been significantly curbed, with the number of affected districts shrinking from 126 in 2018 to just eight by December 2025, reflecting sustained security and development efforts.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the consistent implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE (2015) has led to a sharp decline in violence and a major contraction in the geographical spread of extremism.
The Minister noted that LWE-related violent incidents have dropped by 88 per cent, from a high of 1,936 incidents in 2010 to 234 incidents in 2025. Deaths of civilians and security personnel have fallen by 90 per cent, from 1,005 in 2010 to 100 in 2025. The number of police stations reporting LWE violence has also declined from 465 in 2010 to 119 in 2025.
On the security front, the Centre has supported LWE-affected States with deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, helicopter support, strengthening of security camps, construction of fortified police stations, intelligence sharing, modernisation of State police forces and training. So far, 656 fortified police stations have been constructed.
Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme, ₹3,681.73 crore has been released since 2014–15 to meet operational costs, training needs, rehabilitation of surrendered cadres and ex-gratia assistance to families of civilians and security personnel killed in LWE violence. In 2025 alone, security forces neutralised 364 Naxals, arrested 1,022, and facilitated 2,337 surrenders.
The Centre and States have also strengthened surrender-cum-rehabilitation policies, offering immediate financial assistance, incentives for surrender of weapons and vocational training with a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 for up to three years.
To choke LWE financing, the government has activated dedicated mechanisms including the Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Cell in the Ministry of Home Affairs, specialised units in the National Investigation Agency, and multi-disciplinary monitoring groups at Central and State levels.
Parallelly, the government has prioritised development in LWE-affected areas. Over 15,016 km of roads have been constructed under LWE-specific schemes, 9,233 telecom towers commissioned, 179 Eklavya Model Residential Schools made functional, and thousands of post offices, bank branches and ATMs opened to boost financial inclusion. Since 2017, ₹3,953.67 crore has been released under the Special Central Assistance scheme to bridge critical infrastructure gaps.
The Minister said the Centre remains committed to the complete eradication of Left-Wing Extremism and to ensuring holistic development of regions freed from extremism, enabling lasting peace, security and growth.
