Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday said that the number of districts most affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) reduced from 30 in April-2018 to 25 in July 2021.
"The number of most LWE Affected Districts was reduced from 35 to 30 in April-2018 and then to 25 in July 2021. Also, 8 Districts categorized as Districts of Concern have been covered under the scheme since July 2021 to consolidate gains in areas where LWE influence is waning," said Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Speaking further he said that a national policy and action plan to address left Wing Extremism was approved in 2015 to envisage a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures.
Rai also highlighted that the Government of India has taken several specific developmental initiatives in LWE affected states to expand road network and improve telecommunication connectivity.
According to the statement released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, projects worth approximately Rs 2053.13 crore has been released to the LWE affected states from 2019-20 to 2022-23
"To give further impetus for development, funds are provided to states under 'Special Central Assistance (SCA)' to fill the critical gaps in public infrastructure and services. Rs 2053.13 crore has been released to the states from 2019-20 to 2022-23," read the statement released by the ministry.
Earlier on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah while speaking at the 84th Raising Day event of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said that the incidents of LWE violence declined by 76 per cent in the country while comparing it to 2010. He also said that loss of lives of civilians and security personnel has gone down by 78 per cent.