Govt to work in 'mission mode' to address naxalism

The government today told Lok Sabha that it would work in a "mission mode" to end naxalism while noting that the casualties in the extremist violence had come down substantially.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the multi-pronged strategy being implemented by the Centre is helping in addressing the problem and maximum possible assistance is being provided to the affected states.
There are incidents of extortion and killing in naxal-affected areas, he said while replying to questions.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said the government would work in a "mission mode" to address the problem and end naxalism.

Insisting that the government strategy is showing results, Rajnath Singh said the number of deaths of civilians and security personnel due to naxal and maoist activities came down last year to 226 compared to 1,005 in 2010.
In 2015, 168 civilians and 58 security personnel were killed whereas 720 civilians and 285 security personnel died in 2010, Singh said.

There were 2,230 incidents related to naxals and Maoists in 2010, he added.
"According to reports, Left Wing Extremists groups, particularly the CPI (Maoist), reportedly resort to extortion from industrialists, businessmen and contractors," Chaudhary said.
The details of cases of extortion by LWE groups and the number of persons arrested/killed in the cases of abductions and extortions are not centrally maintained, he added.

As many as 17 incidents of kidnapping, including abduction and resultant killing by Left Wing Extremists (LWE) and death of five people have been reported up to February 29 this year. In 2015, there were 115 such incidents and 62 deaths.
Up to February 29 this year, there have been 24 attacks on economic targets by LWE groups.
The quantum of damage to economic infrastructure and persons arrested in these incidents are not centrally maintained, Chaudhary said.
"The central government closely monitors the situation and has a multi-pronged strategy towards combating LWE including security related measures; development related interventions; and ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities," he noted.

Noting that police and public order are state subjects, the Minister said cases related to extortion and damage to property/economic infrastructure are registered, investigated and prosecuted by the state governments concerned.