{"id":15652,"date":"2026-02-14T13:05:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T13:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=15652"},"modified":"2026-02-14T13:09:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T13:09:44","slug":"underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), commonly known as Naxalism or Maoism in India, remains one of the country’s most enduring internal security threats since independence. Driven by Maoist ideology, it aims to overthrow the state through armed struggle, drawing significant support from marginalized rural, tribal, and impoverished communities who feel neglected by development. At its height around 2010, LWE exerted influence over more than 200 districts in roughly 20 states, creating the notorious “Red Corridor” spanning from Andhra Pradesh in the south to West Bengal in the east.<\/p>\n

Sustained multi-pronged government strategies\u2014combining robust security operations, infrastructure development, and targeted welfare initiatives in affected areas\u2014have dramatically curtailed its reach and intensity. By late 2025, the number of LWE-affected districts has shrunk to just 11 across a handful of states (primarily Chhattisgarh, with pockets in Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and others), with only three classified as “most affected.” Violent incidents have plummeted by approximately 89% from the 2010 peak of 1,936 to around 218\u2013234 in 2025, while related deaths have fallen by over 90%. The government has set a target to eliminate LWE entirely by March 31, 2026, signalling the near-collapse of the once-expansive Red Corridor.<\/p>\n

Despite remarkable progress in curbing Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), underdevelopment continues to serve as a primary driver of its lingering influence. Remote, tribal-dominated regions\u2014marked by chronic poverty, inadequate infrastructure, weak governance, land alienation, and exploitation\u2014foster deep grievances that Maoist groups exploit for recruitment and ideological propagation. These areas, often rich in resources yet starved of equitable growth, create a vacuum where extremists portray themselves as protectors against state neglect, transforming socio-economic deprivation into sustained support for armed rebellion.<\/p>\n

Analyses highlight that LWE persists not solely from ideology but from the state’s historical failure to deliver inclusive development, allowing Maoists to weaponize economic marginalization. Addressing root causes through accelerated infrastructure, tribal rights enforcement, employment generation, and governance reforms remains essential to prevent resurgence, even as security gains near the government’s March 2026 eradication target.<\/p>\n

Historical Context<\/strong><\/p>\n

The origins of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) trace back to the 1967 Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal, where peasants, led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal under the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), revolted against exploitative landlords. Inspired by Mao Zedong’s tactics, the movement sought to seize power through guerrilla warfare and establish a “people’s government.” Initially suppressed, it fragmented and spread to underdeveloped rural areas, culminating in the 2004 merger that formed the Communist Party of India (Maoist).<\/p>\n

The “Red Corridor” spanned states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Maharashtra, where resource-rich yet impoverished tribal regions faced rampant economic backwardness and alienation. NITI Aayog’s 2023 Multidimensional Poverty Index shows many LWE-affected districts among India’s most deprived, perpetuating grievances. By the early 2000s, Maoists controlled vast areas, running parallel administrations and extorting “levies” from industries, further hindering development.<\/p>\n

Factors of Underdevelopment Contributing to LWE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Underdevelopment in LWE-prone areas is multifaceted, involving economic, social, and institutional deficits that deepen inequalities and supply Maoists with propaganda portraying the state as exploitative.<\/p>\n

Poverty and Unemployment<\/strong><\/p>\n

LWE-affected regions rank among India’s poorest, plagued by high poverty, illiteracy, and joblessness. Tribal rural populations endure subsistence farming, irrigation shortages, and climate vulnerabilities. Droughts and income shocks correlate with rising Maoist violence and recruitment, as youth, lacking alternatives, join for promised economic justice and livelihoods.<\/p>\n

Land Alienation and Forest Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tribals, reliant on forests, face systematic dispossession through mining, dams, and industries without adequate compensation or rehabilitation. Poor enforcement of the Forest Rights Act (2006) and PESA (1996) denies access to “Jal, Jungle, Jameen,” fuelling grievances. Maoists exploit this by posing as tribal defenders against corporate and state exploitation.<\/p>\n

Lack of Infrastructure and Basic Services\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Remote areas suffer from absent roads, electricity, schools, and healthcare, fostering a governance vacuum. Maoists fill it with “Janatana Sarkar” parallel systems while attacking state projects like bridges and schools, delaying progress. Isolation hinders market access and intensifies neglect perceptions.<\/p>\n

Governance Vacuum and Exploitation <\/strong><\/p>\n

Weak administration, corruption, and rights abuses alienate communities. Officials, contractors, and moneylenders trap tribals in debt bondage. Excessive security actions, including alleged fake encounters, erode trust, driving locals toward Maoists for protection. Discrimination against STs and SCs amplifies resentment.<\/p>\n

The following table summarizes key underdevelopment indicators in major LWE-affected states (based on recent data from NITI Aayog MPI 2023, PLFS 2023-24, and related reports):<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

State<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio (%) (NFHS-5, 2019-21)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Literacy Rate (%) (PLFS 2023-24, age 7+)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Unemployment Rate (%) (recent PLFS\/Economic Survey)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Key Issues<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chhattisgarh<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16.37<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

78.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~2.4\u20135.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mining displacement, forest rights violations, tribal poverty<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Jharkhand<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

28.81<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

76.7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~1.7\u20132.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

High poverty, industrial exploitation, tribal alienation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Odisha<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15.68<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

79.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~3.9\u20136.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Tribal marginalization, poor infrastructure in remote areas<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bihar<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

33.76<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

74.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

~3.9\u20135.2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chronic unemployment, governance gaps, low education access<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

These indicators highlight persistent socio-economic vulnerabilities in LWE-prone regions, where multidimensional poverty, low literacy, and job scarcity create fertile ground for extremist recruitment despite overall national improvements.<\/p>\n

How Underdevelopment Increases LWE Influence<\/strong><\/p>\n

Underdevelopment directly boosts Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) influence by reinforcing narratives of state neglect and creating operational advantages for Maoists. Impoverished youth, facing chronic poverty and unemployment, are prime recruitment targets, lured by stipends, a sense of purpose, and promises of economic justice within Maoist ranks. In governance voids, extremists dispense “justice” via kangaroo courts (Jan Adalats), provide rudimentary services, and position themselves as protectors against exploitation, gaining local legitimacy and support.<\/p>\n

Maoists perpetuate backwardness through a vicious cycle: they sabotage infrastructure projects\u2014roads, schools, bridges\u2014and attack development initiatives to block state penetration, ensuring isolation and continued grievances. Post-1991 economic liberalization intensified this by accelerating mining and industrialization in resource-rich tribal areas, causing displacement without equitable benefits or rehabilitation, eroding state trust and enhancing Maoist credibility as champions of rural and tribal interests. Studies confirm that stalled growth and poor program execution allow extremists to exploit discontent, sustaining and expanding their influence despite recent security gains.<\/p>\n

Government Responses: Balancing Security and Development<\/strong><\/p>\n

India pursues a holistic strategy against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) under the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan, integrating security with accelerated development. The SAMADHAN doctrine\u2014focusing on smart leadership, actionable intelligence, modern technology, and aggressive operations\u2014has empowered forces like CRPF’s COBRA units to neutralize threats, resulting in over 2,500 Maoist surrenders in recent years. Development initiatives include the Aspirational Districts Programme targeting LWE-affected areas for gains in health, education, and livelihoods; Special Central Assistance funding the Road Requirement Plan-I (over 4,800 km completed), rural electrification, mobile towers, and skill training. Generous surrender-and-rehabilitation policies provide financial incentives, vocational support, and security to encourage defections. The government targets complete LWE elimination by March 31, 2026, viewing it as the primary obstacle to remote-area progress.<\/p>\n

Challenges and Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

Persistent challenges remain: sporadic Maoist resurgence in isolated pockets, the delicate balance between aggressive security operations and safeguarding human rights, and their continued exploitation of mining-induced displacements and tribal grievances. Critics rightly stress that development efforts must be genuinely inclusive, rights-centric, and community-driven to prevent further alienation and backlash.<\/p>\n

The way forward lies in empowering grassroots Panchayati Raj institutions, ensuring strict and timely implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006) and PESA (1996), promoting community-led planning, advancing land reforms, and generating local employment through strengthened rural infrastructure. Deploying drone and GIS-based monitoring, alongside targeted education initiatives to counter extremist propaganda, will enhance governance reach. Above all, sustained equitable growth\u2014rooted in tribal dignity, justice, and meaningful participation\u2014is critical to eliminate conditions conducive to revival and secure lasting peace.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Underdevelopment has long fuelled LWE by converting socio-economic grievances into armed rebellion. While security operations have drastically reduced violence and shrunk the Red Corridor, lasting peace demands addressing root causes through inclusive, participatory development. India’s progress demonstrates the effectiveness of a balanced approach, but continued focus on post-conflict rehabilitation, robust governance, and mainstream integration is vital to ensure dignity, justice, and enduring stability in affected regions by 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Introduction Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), commonly known as Naxalism or Maoism in India, remains one of the country’s most enduring internal security threats since independence. Driven by Maoist ideology, it aims to overthrow the state through armed struggle, drawing significant support from marginalized rural, tribal, and impoverished communities who feel neglected by development. At its height<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[28],"class_list":["post-15652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-human-rights","tag-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\nUnderdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India - Legal Service India - Articles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"India\u2019s fight against Left-Wing Extremism: causes, Red Corridor decline, tribal issues and the government\u2019s plan to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"India\u2019s fight against Left-Wing Extremism: causes, Red Corridor decline, tribal issues and the government\u2019s plan to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Legal Service India - Articles\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-14T13:05:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-14T13:09:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ECI-DEVELOPMENT.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1536\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Md. Imran Wahab\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@legalserviceind\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@legalserviceind\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Md. Imran Wahab\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Md. Imran Wahab\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/23f17916b2032842e5ccd9cb51dfc156\"},\"headline\":\"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-14T13:05:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-14T13:09:44+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1278,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"Top News\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Human Rights\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/\",\"name\":\"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India - Legal Service India - Articles\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-14T13:05:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-14T13:09:44+00:00\",\"description\":\"India\u2019s fight against Left-Wing Extremism: causes, Red Corridor decline, tribal issues and the government\u2019s plan to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Human Rights > Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/\",\"name\":\"Legal Service India - Law Articles\",\"description\":\"Legal Service India - Law Article Directory is the oldest in India since 2000, with thousands of article written by lawyers, law Students and Scholars on all branches of law\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Legal Service India\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/logo-circle-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/logo-circle-1.png\",\"width\":105,\"height\":95,\"caption\":\"Legal Service India\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/legalservicesind\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/legalserviceind\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@LegalServiceIndia-lsi\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/23f17916b2032842e5ccd9cb51dfc156\",\"name\":\"Md. Imran Wahab\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/avatars\\\/49\\\/1777837060-bpfull.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/avatars\\\/49\\\/1777837060-bpfull.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/avatars\\\/49\\\/1777837060-bpfull.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Md. Imran Wahab\"},\"description\":\"Md. Imran Wahab, a distinguished 2004-batch Indian Police Service officer, has dedicated over 32 years to public service, holding various senior managerial positions within the West Bengal Police force. His career has spanned diverse roles across different districts, including Kolkata Police, serving as DCP, 5th Battalion, Kolkata Armed Police and DCP (Port Division), for approximately 4 years. He served in Barrackpore Police Commissionerate, holding the positions of DCP (Special Branch) and DCP (Traffic) for over 4 years. He was posted in the districts of Dakshin Dinajpur and Nadia as Additional SP. At the sub-divisional level, he has worked as SDPOs of Gangarampur, Raghunathpur and Kalna sub-divisions of West Bengal. His tenure as Special IG and subsequently as IGP of Correctional Services, West Bengal, for over 4 years, saw him deeply engaged in improving the prison and correctional system. He visited numerous correctional homes across West Bengal, interacting with inmates, both male and female, including children residing with their incarcerated mothers. His outreach extended to correctional homes in Assam, Bihar, and Tripura. This hands-on approach provided him with invaluable insights into the workings of prisons and the complexities of the prisoner psyche. Beyond his operational roles, Md. Imran Wahab possesses a strong academic background, holding B.Sc., M.A., L.L.B., and M.B.A. degrees. He has also completed Post Graduate Diplomas in Human Rights, Project Management, Corporate Management, Computer Application, Public Administration, Medical Law, Disaster Management, Fire Safety & Hazards Management and Psychology. He has attended Indian government sponsored specialized training in police and management matters in SVPNPA, Hyderabad, IIM, Ahmedabad and Singapore. He is the author of the books 'Police Investigation & Allied Matters' and 'Alternative Dispute Resolution: Evolving Trends and Innovations' demonstrating his commitment to knowledge sharing within the law enforcement field. As an observer for the Election Commission of India, he has gained firsthand experience in conducting assembly elections and bye-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Bihar, and Tripura (twice). This exposure has given him a deep understanding of election management and the Election Commission's operations. He has also served as Chairman and as a member of various recruitment boards for the selection of police personnel in Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police. Md. Imran Wahab's interests extend beyond law enforcement to include law, politics, international affairs, prison management, and business management. He has authored over 1000 articles on these diverse topics, reflecting his intellectual curiosity and desire to contribute to public discourse. He is also a research scholar in law and has contributed articles to the Indian Police Journal, National Crime Record Bureau Journal, SVP National Police Academy Journal, and International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research etc. Currently, he serves as IGP, Provisioning, West Bengal.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/author\\\/md-imranwahab\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India - Legal Service India - Articles","description":"India\u2019s fight against Left-Wing Extremism: causes, Red Corridor decline, tribal issues and the government\u2019s plan to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India","og_description":"India\u2019s fight against Left-Wing Extremism: causes, Red Corridor decline, tribal issues and the government\u2019s plan to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/","og_site_name":"Legal Service India - Articles","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind","article_published_time":"2026-02-14T13:05:24+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-14T13:09:44+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1536,"height":1024,"url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ECI-DEVELOPMENT.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Md. Imran Wahab","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@legalserviceind","twitter_site":"@legalserviceind","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Md. Imran Wahab","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/"},"author":{"name":"Md. Imran Wahab","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/person\/23f17916b2032842e5ccd9cb51dfc156"},"headline":"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India","datePublished":"2026-02-14T13:05:24+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-14T13:09:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/"},"wordCount":1278,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#organization"},"keywords":["Top News"],"articleSection":["Human Rights"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/","name":"Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India - Legal Service India - Articles","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-02-14T13:05:24+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-14T13:09:44+00:00","description":"India\u2019s fight against Left-Wing Extremism: causes, Red Corridor decline, tribal issues and the government\u2019s plan to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/underdevelopment-as-a-driver-of-left-wing-extremism-in-india\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Human Rights > Underdevelopment as a Driver of Left-Wing Extremism in India"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/","name":"Legal Service India - Law Articles","description":"Legal Service India - Law Article Directory is the oldest in India since 2000, with thousands of article written by lawyers, law Students and Scholars on all branches of law","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#organization","name":"Legal Service India","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-circle-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-circle-1.png","width":105,"height":95,"caption":"Legal Service India"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind","https:\/\/x.com\/legalserviceind","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LegalServiceIndia-lsi"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/person\/23f17916b2032842e5ccd9cb51dfc156","name":"Md. Imran Wahab","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/avatars\/49\/1777837060-bpfull.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/avatars\/49\/1777837060-bpfull.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/avatars\/49\/1777837060-bpfull.jpg","caption":"Md. Imran Wahab"},"description":"Md. Imran Wahab, a distinguished 2004-batch Indian Police Service officer, has dedicated over 32 years to public service, holding various senior managerial positions within the West Bengal Police force. His career has spanned diverse roles across different districts, including Kolkata Police, serving as DCP, 5th Battalion, Kolkata Armed Police and DCP (Port Division), for approximately 4 years. He served in Barrackpore Police Commissionerate, holding the positions of DCP (Special Branch) and DCP (Traffic) for over 4 years. He was posted in the districts of Dakshin Dinajpur and Nadia as Additional SP. At the sub-divisional level, he has worked as SDPOs of Gangarampur, Raghunathpur and Kalna sub-divisions of West Bengal. His tenure as Special IG and subsequently as IGP of Correctional Services, West Bengal, for over 4 years, saw him deeply engaged in improving the prison and correctional system. He visited numerous correctional homes across West Bengal, interacting with inmates, both male and female, including children residing with their incarcerated mothers. His outreach extended to correctional homes in Assam, Bihar, and Tripura. This hands-on approach provided him with invaluable insights into the workings of prisons and the complexities of the prisoner psyche. Beyond his operational roles, Md. Imran Wahab possesses a strong academic background, holding B.Sc., M.A., L.L.B., and M.B.A. degrees. He has also completed Post Graduate Diplomas in Human Rights, Project Management, Corporate Management, Computer Application, Public Administration, Medical Law, Disaster Management, Fire Safety & Hazards Management and Psychology. He has attended Indian government sponsored specialized training in police and management matters in SVPNPA, Hyderabad, IIM, Ahmedabad and Singapore. He is the author of the books 'Police Investigation & Allied Matters' and 'Alternative Dispute Resolution: Evolving Trends and Innovations' demonstrating his commitment to knowledge sharing within the law enforcement field. As an observer for the Election Commission of India, he has gained firsthand experience in conducting assembly elections and bye-elections in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Assam, Bihar, and Tripura (twice). This exposure has given him a deep understanding of election management and the Election Commission's operations. He has also served as Chairman and as a member of various recruitment boards for the selection of police personnel in Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police. Md. Imran Wahab's interests extend beyond law enforcement to include law, politics, international affairs, prison management, and business management. He has authored over 1000 articles on these diverse topics, reflecting his intellectual curiosity and desire to contribute to public discourse. He is also a research scholar in law and has contributed articles to the Indian Police Journal, National Crime Record Bureau Journal, SVP National Police Academy Journal, and International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research etc. Currently, he serves as IGP, Provisioning, West Bengal.","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/author\/md-imranwahab\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15652"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15652\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}