As many as 1,651 Left-Wing-Extremists surrendered, joined mainstream during 2019-21: Report

New Delhi, June 12

Noting that the security forces’ aggressive stance and development initiatives of the government of India in the Naxal affected areas, think tank Public Policy Research Centre (PPRC) in a report titled – ‘AatmaVishwas se AatmaNirbharta: Defending India’s Might’ ndash; has claimed that nearly 1,651 Left Wing Extremists have surrendered and joined the mainstream during 2019-21.

Highlighting the achievements of “Modi Government @ 8”, the report, which was prepared under the guidance of Director, PPRC Dr Sumeet Bhasin, claimed that there has been a sharp decline incidents of Naxal violence from 2,258 in 2009 to 349 in 2021 (till August).

“The resulted in decline in deaths (Civilians + Security Forces) several notches (85 percent) from all-time high of 1005 in 2010 to 147 in 2021,” it said adding that in the last two years (2019-21) the civilian deaths have come down by 24 percent and in case of security forces by 24 per cent.

Commenting on the prevailing situation with regard to Naxal violence before 2014, Dr Bhasin said, “This was considered to be the single greatest threat to India’s internal security. To cripple the virus of Naxalism, immediate use of all available resources was required, but the administration and the forces then were rendered powerless due to a lack of political resolve to deal with the menace.”

Soon after assuming power in 2014, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government launched the National Policy and Action Plan (NPAP 2015) against Naxalism, which has been a multi-pronged strategy that includes security measures, development initiatives and guaranteeing rights and entitlements to people living in the LWE affected areas, he said.

The government also took initiatives to reinforce the legal and institutional framework for combating the menace by amending the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act of 1967, the National Investigation Agency Act of 2008 and other relevant legislation, Bhasin noted.