With Red Corridor Shrinking To 58 Districts, 2017 Was The Most Successful Year Against Left Extremism

A revamped strategy to counter Maoist insurgence in the country has begun to bear fruit as 2017 saw the least number of districts being affected by Maoist violence, reported Times Of India.

The Red Corridor, an almost continuous stretch of land through the country which is affected by Maoist insurgency, has shrunk from 75 districts in 2015 to just 58 districts in 2017 since the new strategy was adopted in May last year.

2017 also saw 150 Maoist cadres being killed in security operations making it the most successful year for the security forces.

CRPF director general Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said "The past year, we have hit the Naxals in their den. Our coordination with state police, intelligence agencies and armed forces has been exceptional. The focus has been on leaders, over ground operatives and sympathisers. The Naxals are not able to move arms, funds and their senior leaders from one place to another."

The new strategy has seen joint operations by the CRPF, the IAF, the BSF, the ITBP and state forces targeting the Maoist leadership instead of low level cadres and the use of modern technology like drones and coordinated day and night operations by security personnel to target the left extremists deep inside the jungles.

There is also focus on rapid development of the remote areas that are being freed from the Maoist influence, with installation of mobile towers, schools and police stations in the areas.