The Lok Sabha has taken up a discussion on efforts to free the country from left-wing extremism. Initiating the debate, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde hailed the efforts of Narendra Modi’s government, paramilitary and police forces to make the country free from Naxalism. He also paid tributes to all those security personnel who laid down their lives while fighting against Left-wing extremism. Mr Shinde hit out at the Congress, saying that when the party was in power, it failed to provide necessary facilities to tribals and backward communities, which forced them to take up arms. He said there was a time when tribals faced exploitation and were pushed into the fire of Naxalism, but today, the situation has changed. He said, now a tribal woman holds the highest constitutional post in the country as President.

 

He said the Modi government has regained the trust of tribals, the poor, and the marginalized. Mr Shinde said that with the government’s consistent effort, the Red Corridor is now being transformed into a growth corridor. He said the left-wing extremism, which had spread to 200 districts of the country, has now been reduced to just three districts.  

       

Participating in the discussion, Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka of the Congress said that several efforts were also taken during the UPA government to eliminate Naxalism. He said that police forces were modernized, and in 2008, the CoBRA unit was established. He also said that under the UPA government, roads and schools were constructed in Naxal-affected areas.

 

Sambit Patra of the BJP alleged that the UPA government worked to protect Naxalites. He said that under the Modi government, the Red Corridor has been transformed into a Growth Corridor. He said that during the UPA rule in April 2010, the highest number, 75 CRPF personnel were martyred in a single day.

 

Dr Byreddy Shabari of TDP alleged that the maximum number of Naxal attacks took place between 2004 and 2014 during the UPA rule. She alleged that despite tackling the menace of Naxalism, the UPA government ignited the left-wing extremist movement. She said that Naxalism, which started from one village, had later spread to 182 districts across ten states due to the lacklustre policy of the Congress government.