In the last nine years, the Modi-led government has adopted an integrated approach to deal with Left-Wing Extremism by addressing the area of security while also promoting good governance
Union home minister Amit Shah’s bold decision to hold a Parivartan Yatra in Maoist-affected Dantewada region of Chhattisgarh today signals the BJP government’s confidence to tackle Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).
The Yatra aims to cover 87 of the total 90 assembly constituencies in the poll-bound state to expose the Congress-led government’s alleged corruption and highlight the Centre’s public welfare schemes and policies.
After a deadly attack by Maoists in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had vowed, “Time has come to adopt policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and Naxalism.”
In the past nine years, a combination of solid intelligence, well-equipped central forces, and huge funding via schemes such as Special Infrastructure Scheme, have ensured a declining footprint of Maoist outfits. The home ministry has played a key role in bringing about these changes.
The data from the ministry shows a 70% decline in Maoist-related violence from 1,136 incidents in 2013 to 531 in 2022. Deaths from red terror has reduced by 75% in the same period.
Successful operations have led to capture or elimination of key Naxal leaders. Operations like ‘Green Hunt’ and ‘Prahaar’ weakened their organisational structures.
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In the last nine years, the government has adopted an integrated approach to deal with LWE by addressing the area of security while also promoting good governance.
For example, over 13,000 km of roads were laid in Naxal-hit areas, thousands of bank ATMs and mobile towers have also come up. ITIs and skill development centres are imparting training to tribal communities.
The developments underscore the Modi government’s commitment to the well-being of tribal communities, who have often been caught in the crossfire of Maoists and security forces.
Amit Shah’s choice of Dantewada as the launchpad for the Parivartan Yatra is not just symbolic but also indicative of the changing dynamics in regions affected by Maoism.
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Shah will flag off the yatra after offering prayers at Maa Danteshwari temple in Dantewada (south Chhattisgarh) followed by a public rally there, a party functionary in Raipur said.
The second ‘Parivartan Yatra’ will be flagged off by BJP president JP Nadda in Jashpur (north Chhattisgarh) on September 15, he said.
BJP state in-charge Om Mathur, regional general secretary (organisation) for Chhattisgarh Ajay Jamwal and state general secretary (organisation) Pavan Sai on Monday performed a puja of the bus and vehicles, which will be used for the yatra, at the party’s state headquarters Kushabhau Thakre Parisar here, before the vehicles headed for Dantewada.
The same high-tech bus was used by the BJP for its ‘Vikas Yatra’ in the state ahead of the 2018 assembly elections when the party was in power, a member of the state BJP’s communication wing said.
(With inputs from PTI)
