Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.

The government's strategy of reducing LWE in India:

1. The government has adopted the idea of SAMADHAN to counter LWE:

• S - Strategic policy, smart leadership
• A - Aggressive response
• M - Motivation, training
• A - Action plan for each theatre
• D - Dashboard maintenance
• H - Harnessing technology
• A - Actionable intelligence
• N - NO to funds/finance.

1. This policy has helped in reducing the impact and intensity of the LWE. Ex. There is 77% decline in LWE affected areas in past two decades (Ministry of Home Affairs).

(3) The highly LWE affected districts have come down to only 35 districts. Ex. operation Greenhunt role of COBRA and greyhounds.

(4) However, the effectiveness of the policy has been questioned with emerging challenges:

• Increase in concerted hybrid attacks. Ex. Bastar, Dantewada in Chhattisgarh.
• Rise of the intensity of LWE, making the goal of eradicating LWE by 2026 difficult.
• Emergence of urban naxalism creating security threats. Ex. in non-traditional areas like Maharashtra, Karnataka.
• The top-down policy approach further leading to tribal isolation. Ex. insider-outsider conflicts in tribal belts.

Further reforms needed:

1. Bottom-up policy approach. Ex. NITI Aayog's Aspirational District Programme.
2. Local policymaking and autonomy. Ex. implementation of PESA Act 1996.
3. Innovative solutions to gain local confidence. Ex. educational relaxations for youth in CRPF by Chhattisgarh.
4. Rationalizing surrender policy and SAMADHAN doctrine.