47 per cent decline in Naxal violence in Chhattisgarh: Govt
New Delhi(PTI): Chhattisgarh has seen a reduction of 47 per cent in incidents of Naxal violence and a decline of 64 per cent in deaths of civilians and security personnel resulting from such violence during 2024 as compared to 2010, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In response to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the state recorded 267 cases of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) violence in 2024 as compared against 499 reported in 2010.
He said the deaths of civilians and security forces has also declined by 64 per cent as compared to 2010 when 343 such deaths were reported as against 122 reported in 2024.
Rai said the state has received over 43 per cent of the Rs 1925.83 crore released to all LWE-affected states under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme during the last five years.
The SRE scheme provides funds to LWE-affected states for capacity building through provisions of ex-gratia to the families of civilians and security forces killed in LWE violence, training and operational needs of security forces, rehabilitation of surrendered Naxal cadres, community policing and compensation to security personnel and civilians for the damage of properties in Naxal violence, he said.
"Under this scheme Rs 1925.83 crore have been released to all LWE-affected states during the last five years (from 2019-20 till date). This includes Rs 829.80 crore for Chhattisgarh," the minister said.
The state has also received 21.6 per cent of the total Rs 394.31 crore released to all LWE-affected states under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) during the last five years, he said.
The scheme aims to strengthen special forces, special intelligence branches (SIBs) and district police.
"This includes Rs 85.42 crore for Chhattisgarh. Seven hundred two fortified police stations (FPSs), including 147 for Chhattisgarh, have been sanctioned for LWE-affected states. Of these, 612 FPSs, including 125 in Chhattisgarh, have been constructed," he said.
He said that to give further impetus for development in most LWE-affected districts, funds are provided to the states under Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme to fill critical gaps in public infrastructure and services.
"Under this scheme, Rs 2384.17 crore have been released to all LWE-affected states during last five years (from 2019-20 till date). This includes Rs 773.62 crore for Chhattisgarh," he said.
Rai said Rs 654.84 crore have been given to central agencies during the last five years (from 2019-20 till date) for helicopters and addressing critical infrastructure in security camps in LWE-affected areas, under assistance to central agencies for LWE Management (ACALWEM) Scheme.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
