Q. Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues gest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.

Naxalism stems from perceived developmental deficits and systemic marginalization, manifesting as armed violence. However, coordinated state action has led to a 77% reduction in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) violence since 2010.

Socio-Economic Roots & Emerging Issues

1. Socio-Economic Triggers: Historical land alienation, forced displacement, and poor implementation of protective frameworks (PESA, FRA 2006) fuel tribal alienation.
2. ‘Urban Naxalism’: Overground front organizations provide legal and financial logistics while radicalizing youth via social media narratives.
3. Technological Upgrades: Increased reliance on encrypted communications, the dark web, cryptocurrencies for funding, and commercial drones for surveillance.
4. Tactical Shifts: Retreating to dense, unmapped inter-state tri-junctions (MP-Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh) and heavy usage of sophisticated IEDs to minimize direct combat.
5. Illicit Funding Networks: Sustaining the insurgency through organized extortion (levy) from mining contractors and infrastructure developers.

Multilayered Strategy (The SAMADHAN Framework)

1. Aggressive Security Footprint: Expanding Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in core zones and deploying specialized local units (Bastariya Battalion, Greyhounds).
2. Intelligence & Technology: Leveraging UAVs, geospatial mapping, and localized human intelligence for precision, intelligence-led operations (Operation Prahaar).
3. Infrastructure Penetration: Accelerating the Road Requirement Plan (RRP) and telecom connectivity (LWE Mobile Tower Project) to break geographical isolation.
4. Inclusive Development: Prioritizing socio-economic upliftment through the Aspirational Districts Programme and localized tribal skill initiatives (ROSHNI scheme).
5. Rights & Rehabilitation: Strict enforcement of land rights (Forest Rights Act 2006) alongside attractive Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation policies to reintegrate cadres.
6. Psychological Warfare: Countering Maoist propaganda through systemic Civic Action Programmes (CAP) to rebuild state-citizen trust.

Eradicating LWE permanently requires sustaining this dual “security-development” paradigm, ensuring that counter-insurgency operations are seamlessly followed by robust administrative governance to win the “hearts and minds” of the tribal populace.