This Division was established in the Ministry of Home Affairs on 19 October 2006 to address the challenge of LWE through a coordinated security and development approach.
The Division oversees security-related measures, monitors the LWE situation and countermeasures, and coordinates development initiatives of the Central Government in affected areas in collaboration with State Governments.
Several States, viz. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, were affected by LWE at various stages. With India achieving LWE-free status on 31 March 2026, the Division continues to focus on consolidating these gains, preventing resurgence and promoting sustainable development in erstwhile LWE-affected areas.
Strategy for Achieving a LWE-Free India
‘Whole of Government Approach’ was adopted to address the LWE problem holistically. A comprehensive Policy and Action Plan was formulated in 2015, under which a multi-pronged strategy was adopted with special emphasis on:
- Strengthening security measures in LWE-affected areas,
- Ensuring rapid development of affected regions,
- Safeguarding the rights and entitlements of local communities, and
- Engaging the local populations in a constructive manner
With coordinated and resolute implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan-2015 by the Centre and the States, India has become LWE-free after six decades of LWE violence.
Role and Functions of the Division
- Coordinates all matters relating to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country.
- Strengthens the capacity of State Governments to counter LWE through schemes such as the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme and Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS).
- Provides financial assistance to States through the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme to address emergent development needs in erstwhile LWE-affected areas.
- Facilitates the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to consolidate the gains made by security forces in erstwhile LWE-affected States.
- Provides financial support for strengthening CAPF camp infrastructure, civic action programmes, helicopter services and other security-related requirements.
- Reviews the security situation and issues advisories and alerts to the concerned State Governments.
- Coordinates the implementation of development schemes of various Central Ministries and Departments in erstwhile LWE-affected districts.
Post-LWE Approach
In the post-LWE phase, the Government is committed to accelerating development in LWE-free areas and ensuring inclusive, sustainable growth. The key focus areas are:
- Saturation of Government schemes and welfare programs
- Sustainable and dignified livelihood opportunities for every family
- Strengthening grassroot democracy (Panchayati Raj)
- Support for victims of LWE violence and rehabilitation of surrendered cadres
- Preservation and promotion of tribal identity, heritage and culture
- Extending good governance and service delivery to remote areas
- Sensitive and responsive policing
- Countering Left Wing Extremism ideology in urban areas
Major achievements (since 2014)
- Number of LWE-affected districts has declined from 126 to zero
- 16653 LWE cadres arrested
- 10645 LWE cadres surrendered
- 1929 LWE cadres killed in encounters with security forces
- 8029 arms recovered
- All Polit Bureau Members (PBM)/Central Committee Members (CCM) of CPI (Maoist) have been neutralized. Since 2014, a total of 41 PBM/CCM have been neutralized
- A total of 837 new security camps were established in core LWE-affected areas. Out of these, 668 were established since 2014.
- 615 Fortified Police Stations (FPS) have been constructed.
- LWE Division actively coordinates with other central ministries/departments for holistic development of areas that were affected by Left Wing Extremism. The following results have been achieved through this coordinated & whole of government approach:
- Roads: 9,983 km rural roads (RCPLWEA) 2,304 Km State highways (RRP)
- Telecom: 9561 towers installed
- Skill Development: 46 ITIs and 49 Skill Development Centers (SDC)
- Education: 179 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in tribal areas
- Financial inclusion: 6,025 Post Offices with banking services, 1804 Bank Branches and 1321 ATMs opened
- Health: A 240-bed Super Specialty Hospital made operational in Bastar
- Land rights to local communities: 9,71,853 title deeds distributed under Forest Rights Act.
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