Modi government brought number of districts affected by left-wing extremism down by 70%: Amit Shah

The Union Home Minister said the northeast and Left-wing extremism-affected areas of the country are tribal-dominated regions and security is a precursor to development there.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 7 said the Narendra Modi government has brought the number of districts affected by Left-wing extremism (LWE) down by 70%.

“The government also lifted the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from more than 66% area in the Northeast and brought peace there, he said after inaugurating the National Tribal Research Institute (NTRI) in Delhi.”

The Union Home Minister said the northeast and Left-wing extremism-affected areas of the country are tribal-dominated regions and security is a precursor to development there. "Secured Northeast and secured central India pave the way for the development of tribals," he said.

Mr. Shah also said 8,700 untoward incidents took place in the Northeast between 2006 and 2014 when the Congress was in power. This number has reduced to 1,700 under the Modi government, he said, comparing eight years of both the dispensations.

“Only 87 security personnel have lost their lives in the Northeast under the Modi government as against 304 during the Congress rule. The number of civilian deaths has come down from 1,990 to 217,” he said. Mr. Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded top priority to research and education since he came to power.

"Under the Congress government, in 2014, ₹7 crore had been set aside for this purpose. In 2022, we have kept ₹150 crore for it," Mr. Shah said.

The Minister added that the Modi government has increased the budget for Eklavya residential schools from ₹278 crore to ₹1,418 crore this financial year. "I believe that only a tribal child can bring the 'best medal' in the Olympics as sports is a part of tribal traditions.