​Opportunity corridor, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Home Minister Amit Shah declared India Naxal-free in the Lok Sabha on March 30, ahead of his own deadline.
• Over the past three years, 4,839 Maoists surrendered, 2,218 were arrested, and 706 were killed in encounters.
• The government's strategy involved dialogue and rehabilitation for surrendering Maoists, and strict action against those who refused.
• A campaign has begun to establish schools in every village and provide Aadhaar and ration cards to residents in affected areas.

Detailed Insights:

• Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had identified LWE as India's biggest internal security challenge, launching Operation Green Hunt in 2009-10.
• At its peak, Maoist influence spanned over 180 districts across tribal, forest, and mineral-rich areas in multiple states.
• The government's current strategy involved uncompromising militaristic measures, impacting human rights activists and judicial processes.
• The defeat of LWE should prioritize tribal rights, participation in parliamentary democracy, and accountability in resource extraction.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Left Wing Extremism (LWE): Ideology advocating radical socio-political change through violent means.
• Operation Green Hunt: Government initiative in 2009-2010 to combat LWE groups in India.
• Urban Naxals: Term used to describe individuals accused of supporting Maoist ideology in urban areas.