"India declares end of Naxalism; post-conflict development challenge begins"
SAMADHAN doctrine
whole-of-government LWE counter-strategy combining security operations with development delivery across eight dimensions
Red Corridor
geographic belt of LWE-affected districts spanning Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and adjoining states at the movement's peak
Left-wing extremism (LWE), popularly known as Naxalism, traces its origins to the 1967 Naxalbari peasant uprising in West Bengal, where agrarian grievances — landlessness, bonded labour, and the failure of land reforms — ignited an armed revolt inspired by Maoist revolutionary theory. Over subsequent decades, the movement spread across resource-rich but governance-poor districts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar, forming what came to be called the Red Corridor. At its peak in the mid-2000s, the Prime Minister described LWE as India's gravest internal security threat.
India's counter-LWE strategy evolved through distinct phases. An early reactive phase relied on state police forces with minimal central coordination. The second phase saw the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) emerge as the lead federal force, supplemented by specialised units. A formal policy architecture crystallised with the National Policy and Action Plan on LWE (2015), which institutionalised a whole-of-government approach under the SAMADHAN doctrine — an acronym covering Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Dashboard-Based KPIs, Harnessing Technology, Action Plan for Each Theatre, and No Access to Financing. This framework explicitly linked security operations with accelerated development delivery, recognising that military suppression alone could not address the structural drivers of the insurgency.
The Salwa Judum episode — a state-sponsored militia in Chhattisgarh struck down by the Supreme Court in 2011 as unconstitutional — had earlier demonstrated the dangers of counter-insurgency approaches that replicate the rights violations they seek to address, reinforcing the case for a rights-respecting, institution-building model.
The SAMADHAN doctrine operationalised the security-development nexus through several interlocking mechanisms. On the security side, the CRPF's specialised CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) units were deployed in intelligence-led operations — including Operation Black Forest, Operation Octopus, Operation Double Bull, and Operation Chakrabandha — to dismantle Maoist strongholds that had resisted penetration for years. Simultaneously, the strategy targeted Maoist financing networks, disrupting the movement's ability to sustain itself logistically.
On the development side, the Aspirational Districts Programme (now Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme) channelled resources into former LWE-affected districts, prioritising health, education, financial inclusion, and connectivity. …
What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in Eastern India? What strategy should the government adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas?
The Naxalite movement in India has its roots in agrarian distress. Critically examine the factors responsible for the persistence of Naxalism and suggest measures to address it.
Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by Left Wing Extremism to internal security in India. Discuss the measures taken by the government to address these challenges.
Consider the following statements regarding India's SAMADHAN doctrine for countering Left Wing Extremism:
1.SAMADHAN stands for, among other elements, 'No Access to Financing' as one of its pillars.
2.The doctrine was formalised under the National Policy and Action Plan on LWE (2015).
3.CoBRA units are a specialised component of the Border Security Force deployed under this doctrine.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Which of the following operations were conducted by Indian security forces as part of counter-Left Wing Extremism campaigns in the former Red Corridor?
1.Operation Black Forest
2.Operation Octopus
3.Operation Double Bull
4.Operation Chakrabandha
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Which of the following best describes the significance of the Supreme Court's 2011 judgment on Salwa Judum for India's counter-insurgency policy?
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