Latest news with #Naxal
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP Kicks Off Vidarbha-Level Poll Preparations
1 2 Wardha: The BJP launched preparations for the upcoming local body polls in Vidarbha with a strategy meeting in Wardha on Monday. District-level representatives were asked to hit the ground running, as elections for municipal corporations and zilla parishads are expected to be held back-to-back. The meeting, attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis , revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, minister of state Pankaj Bhoyar, and other senior leaders, focused on organisational unity and the need to begin groundwork early. Fadnavis told party workers that the BJP must ensure the inclusion of first-time voters, those who turned 18 after the 2024 assembly polls, in the electoral rolls. He also urged party cadres to iron out differences and work in unity to secure the party's victory in the upcoming elections. "These polls will happen almost one after the other. We don't yet know which one will come first, but going by the 2017 format, it seems the municipal corporation elections will precede zilla parishads. Processes like delimitation are underway. Minor differences must be set aside. BJP is like a family. People want to vote for us, so let us prepare for it together," he said, noting that several parties declined due to internal conflicts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Affiliate Marketing Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo Bawankule asked party members to start working at the booth level. "We need to get 10 to 20 more votes from each booth. During Lok Sabha 2024, we lost some crucial seats like Amravati by an average of 10 votes per booth," said Bawankule, adding that the saffron party must aim to secure 51% of votes in every seat. Setting the tone for the campaign, Fadnavis highlighted development initiatives undertaken by the government. He said the long-pending river linking project would be a game-changer for Vidarbha. "When I used to speak about this earlier, people would say it is only on paper. But planning has advanced significantly. I am hopeful that by year-end, tenders will be floated. This project will solve Vidarbha's drought problems," he said. Highlighting rural infrastructure projects, Fadnavis said the government will build pandhan roads across the state in the next five years. "The biggest demand from rural areas is for these roads. A committee under minister Bawankule has been set up to take the matter forward," he added. On farmers' needs, the CM stated that uninterrupted daytime power supply would be ensured through the Krishi Saur Yojna. The scheme is targeted for completion by December 2026. "Earlier, about 40,000 electric pumps were installed. After Bawankule took charge, that number rose to one lakh, and now we are fitting up to three lakh solar pumps," he said. Fadnavis also defended the Jan Suraksha Bill. "Urban Naxal activities increased because they realised jungles were no longer safe due to development. The new law targets only those who oppose the Constitution framed by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. It does not infringe on anyone's freedom," he said. On the language row, Fadnavis accused the opposition of spreading a "fake narrative." "Marathi is mandatory in Maharashtra. The issue was only about which other Indian language would be the third option. Still, the opposition tried to create division," he said.
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Key Naxal operative arrested from Haryana: NIA
New Delhi, The National Investigation Agency has arrested a key Naxal operative from Haryana, who was "actively working to promote anti-national activities", an official statement said on Wednesday. Key Naxal operative arrested from Haryana: NIA Priyanshu Kashyap, a native of the Naxal-infested Bastar district in Chhattisgarh and currently living in Rohtak district of Haryana, was nabbed on Tuesday on the basis of information provided by Haryana Police, the agency said. The NIA team seized a mobile phone with SIM card, one Tablet, two memory cards, and "incriminating" documents related to the CPI from the accused, it said. Kashyap was found to be a member of the proscribed terrorist organisation CPI , and was actively working to promote its anti-national activities as its area committee in-charge in Rohtak, the NIA statement alleged. Leaders of CPI have been conspiring to re-energise the decrepit influence of the outfit in the Northern Regional Bureau , comprising Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, it said. The conspiracy involves several underground and overground workers of the terror organisation, engaged in recruiting cadres and strengthening the outfit in the northern states, the NIA said. Many front organisations and student wings are supporting the outfit's efforts to wage a war against the government of India, it claimed. While the underground workers are in direct contact with senior leaders of CPI , the OGWs operate in the guise of activists to further the nefarious agenda, the NIA said. The workers were being provided funds from the Eastern Regional Bureau of the CPI , especially from Jharkhand, NIA investigations have revealed. The anti-terror agency had earlier arrested two other persons, Ajay Singhal alias Aman, in-charge of State Organising Committee Haryana and Punjab, and Vishal Singh, member of CPI , in the case. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Incidents of Naxal violence declined by 81 per cent in 2024 compared to 2010
New Delhi, Jul 29 (PTI) The incidents related to Naxal violence and resultant deaths of civilians and security forces have seen a sharp decline of 81 per cent and 85 per cent respectively in 2024 as compared to 2010, Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday. In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said there has also been a sharp decline in Left Wing Extremists-affected districts from 126 in 2013 to 18 districts in April 2025. He said to address the LWE problem holistically, a 'National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE" was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security-related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities, etc, he said. He said to encourage Left Wing Extremists to join the mainstream, states have their own 'Surrender cum Rehabilitation" policies. The Centre also support the states in the endeavour through 'Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy' and reimburses the expenditure incurred by the LWE-affected states on rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. The rehabilitation package includes an immediate grant of Rs 5 lakh for higher-ranked LWE cadres and Rs 2.5 lakh for other LWE cadres, he said. The Minister said that in addition, the scheme also provides for incentives for surrender of weapons and ammunition besides imparting training in trade/vocation of their liking with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000 for three years. 'The resolute implementation of the policy has resulted in a consistent decline in violence and the constriction of geographical spread. The LWE-related violence incidents and resultant deaths of civilians and security forces, have come down from 2010 by 81% and 85% respectively in 2024," he said. On a question related to Jharkhand, he said there has been considerable improvement in the LWE scenario, with the number of LWE perpetrated violent incidents in Jharkhand reducing by 92 per cent from a high of 742 incidents in 2009 to 69 incidents in 2024. 'From 1st January, 2024 to 15th July, 2025, 103 LWE-related violent incidents were reported in Jharkhand in which 25 LWE cadres were neutralised, 276 were arrested and 32 surrendered," he said. The LWE-affected districts in Jharkhand have also reduced from 21 in 2013 to only two in 2025, he said. 'However, seven districts are categorised as Legacy and Thrust Districts, for continued support to the districts taken out of LWE influence," he said. PTI ABS RT RT view comments First Published: July 29, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Incidents of Naxal violence declined by 81 per cent in 2024 compared to 2010
New Delhi, The incidents related to Naxal violence and resultant deaths of civilians and security forces have seen a sharp decline of 81 per cent and 85 per cent respectively in 2024 as compared to 2010, Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday. Incidents of Naxal violence declined by 81 per cent in 2024 compared to 2010 In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said there has also been a sharp decline in Left Wing Extremists-affected districts from 126 in 2013 to 18 districts in April 2025. He said to address the LWE problem holistically, a "National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE" was approved in 2015. It envisages a multi-pronged strategy involving security-related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities, etc, he said. He said to encourage Left Wing Extremists to join the mainstream, states have their own "Surrender cum Rehabilitation" policies. The Centre also support the states in the endeavour through 'Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Policy' and reimburses the expenditure incurred by the LWE-affected states on rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. The rehabilitation package includes an immediate grant of ₹5 lakh for higher-ranked LWE cadres and ₹2.5 lakh for other LWE cadres, he said. The Minister said that in addition, the scheme also provides for incentives for surrender of weapons and ammunition besides imparting training in trade/vocation of their liking with a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000 for three years. "The resolute implementation of the policy has resulted in a consistent decline in violence and the constriction of geographical spread. The LWE-related violence incidents and resultant deaths of civilians and security forces, have come down from 2010 by 81% and 85% respectively in 2024," he said. On a question related to Jharkhand, he said there has been considerable improvement in the LWE scenario, with the number of LWE perpetrated violent incidents in Jharkhand reducing by 92 per cent from a high of 742 incidents in 2009 to 69 incidents in 2024. "From 1st January, 2024 to 15th July, 2025, 103 LWE-related violent incidents were reported in Jharkhand in which 25 LWE cadres were neutralised, 276 were arrested and 32 surrendered," he said. The LWE-affected districts in Jharkhand have also reduced from 21 in 2013 to only two in 2025, he said. "However, seven districts are categorised as Legacy and Thrust Districts, for continued support to the districts taken out of LWE influence," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
What is Maharashtra's new security Bill?
The story so far: The Maharashtra Legislature passed the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill or a 'Bill to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organisations or similar organisations', during the recent monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly. The Bill has been termed as 'oppressive, ambiguous and open to misuse' by opposition leaders. What is the Bill? The Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill was brought in to counter 'urban Naxalism', as per the government of Maharashtra. The Bill states that, 'the menace of Naxalism is not only limited to remote areas of the Naxal affected States but its presence is increasing in the urban areas also through the Naxal frontal organisations. The spread of active frontal organisations of the Naxal groups gives constant and effective support in terms of logistics and safe refuge to their armed cadres. The seized literature of Naxals shows 'safe houses' and 'urban dens' of the Maoist network in the cities of the State of Maharashtra.' The Maharashtra government claims that the State has become a safe haven for 'urban Naxal' organisations. It has said that over 60 such organisations exist in Maharashtra, and that current laws are ineffective against them. However, civil rights activists say that the State government has not yet made public the list of these organisations, despite repeated requests. They have alleged that the Bill has been brought about to control left-wing organisations and civil rights activists who had rallied against the BJP in the 2024 Parliamentary elections. What about other States? Maharashtra is the fifth State after Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to enact a Public Security Act 'for more effective prevention of unlawful activities of such organisations.' The government has claimed that the other States have banned 48 frontal organisations under similar laws. But civil rights activists contend that the Public Security Acts in other States were brought in before the promulgation of more stringent pieces of legislation like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. They said that the Maharashtra government itself has claimed to have curbed left-wing armed extremists to only two districts of the State, with the help of currently existing laws, thus questioning the need for such a stringent Act at this time. When was the Bill introduced? The Bill was first introduced by the earlier Mahayuti government at the fag end of the monsoon session of Maharashtra Assembly in 2024. The State elections were held thereafter, and the BJP came back to power along with its allies with a thumping majority. The new government revived the Bill and introduced it during the winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly on December 20, 2024. A day later, a joint committee of members from both the Houses was formed to scrutinise the Bill. The committee received over 12,500 suggestions and objections but made only three amendments to the draft Bill. The activists have called the three changes 'minor'. After being cleared by the joint committee, the Bill was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on July 10. Only the Communist Party of India (Marxist) opposed the Bill. Other opposition parties raised objections, but did not oppose the Bill, which was passed by a majority by a voice vote. Two delegations have since met the Governor requesting him to not sign the Bill and send it back to the Legislature instead. What are the objections to the Bill? The opposition has said that the Bill empowers the government to declare organisations 'illegal' without due process; allows suppression of facts in 'public interest'; allows the government to extend ban on an organisation without any limit on the duration; has the potential to criminalise regular opposition under an ambiguous definition of 'illegal activity'; excludes lower courts from jurisdiction, effectively closing off easy judicial remedies; provides full protection to State officials acting in 'good faith'; and creates grounds for ideologically motivated action against opposition groups, activists and movements. The government has said that democratic and peaceful protests as well as journalists will not come under the Bill's ambit, but the ambiguity in the Bill has given rise to fear that it might be used against farmers' organisations, students' groups, and civil rights groups under the label of 'threat to public order'. For example, Section 2(f) of the Bill criminalises speech (spoken or written), signs, gestures or visual representations which 'tend to interfere' with public order or 'cause concern'. The opposition has said that such a provision allows authorities to criminalise expression, assembly, criticism, ridicule and association merely by indicating that they pose a potential threat. There is no requirement of actual violence, immediate harm or intent. What next? The Bill will become a law once the Governor gives his assent to it. It has been passed by both the Houses and has been sent to him. Meanwhile, civil rights activists and political parties have said they will continue to protest against the Bill and will approach the court against it.
