7,400 Naxals Arrested Since 2019, LWE Violence Down 88 pc From 2010: Govt Tells LS
Left Wing Extremism (LWE), which has been a serious challenge to internal security, has been significantly curbed in recent times and restricted to only a few pockets, Rai said.
New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that more than 7,400 Maoists had been arrested, and 5,880 had surrendered since 2019, with incidents of left wing extremism (LWE)-perpetrated violence coming down by 88 per cent from 1,936 in 2010 to 234 in 2025.
Replying to a question, minister of state for home Nityanand Rai said that in 2025, the security forces had neutralised 364 Maoists, arrested 1,022 and facilitated 2,337 surrenders.
"The number of LWE-affected districts reduced from 126 in 2018 to only eight in December 2025, with only three districts now remaining the most affected...The number of police stations reporting LWE-related violence has significantly reduced from 465 in 2010 to 119 in 2025," the minister said.
Rai also said focus had been laid on the financial choking of LWE activities and the unearthing of the nexus between Maoists and their financial supporters. "Coordinated actions are being taken by the state police in coordination with the Central agencies by various means," he said.
On the development front, apart from the flagship schemes of the government, several specific initiatives have been taken in the LWE-affected areas, with special thrust on expanding the road network, improving telecommunication connectivity, education, skill development, and financial inclusion, he said.
The minister said that to improve telecom connectivity in the LWE-affected areas, 9,233 towers have been commissioned and 15,016 km of roads have been constructed under two specific schemes — the Road Requirement Plan and the Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas. He said 46 idustrial training institutes (ITIs) and 49 skill development centres (SDCs) had been opened.
In addition, 179 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for quality education in the tribal areas have been made functional, 6,025 post offices, 1,804 bank branches and 1,321 ATMs have been opened in most LWE-affected districts.
