This building in Bastar used to house a security camp. Now, it is home to 150 students

Internal Security · 5 October 2026 · Based on Indian Express (original report)

2-minute summary

A former security camp in Bhatpal, located in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region (Narayanpur district), has been successfully repurposed into a residential hostel housing 150 Scheduled Tribe (ST) schoolboys. This transition highlights a significant shift in the state's counter-insurgency strategy from hard security containment to development-led security interventions. The Bhatpal campus now runs pre-matric (Classes 6 to 10) and post-matric (Classes 11 and 12) hostels, providing safe accommodation to students from remote, Maoism-hit villages in and around the Abujhmad (Maad) region. Earlier in 2026, a budget of Rs 100 crore was allocated to transform former LWE hotbeds like Abujhmad and Jagargunda into 'modern education cities'. This initiative addresses the critical challenge of educational access in conflict zones, helping to bridge the trust deficit between tribal communities and the state administration.

Why it's in the news

A 15-year-old security camp in the Maoist-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh has been converted into a residential school hostel for tribal students. This development showcases the practical implementation of the government's 'Security-cum-Development' approach to tackling Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).

Facts to remember

  • The Bhatpal campus in Narayanpur district, Chhattisgarh, has transitioned from a 15-year-old security camp into pre- and post-matric hostels for Scheduled Tribe (ST) boys.
  • In 2026, the Chhattisgarh government allocated a budget of Rs 100 crore to transform the former LWE hotbeds of Abujhmad and Jagargunda into 'modern education cities'.
  • The pre-matric hostel at Bhatpal accommodates 114 students from Classes 6 to 10, exceeding its sanctioned capacity of 100.
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) implements the National Policy and Action Plan to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE), combining security, development, and rights entitlement.

Background and context

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has historically been one of India's most complex internal security challenges, concentrated in the forested tribal belts of central India, known as the 'Red Corridor'. The Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, particularly the highly inaccessible Abujhmad forest, served as a major stronghold for CPI (Maoist) insurgents. Early state responses relied heavily on militaristic containment and controversial local resistance groups like 'Salwa Judum', which was banned by the Supreme Court in 2011 due to human rights violations. Over the last decade, the Union and State governments have shifted toward a holistic 'Security-cum-Development' paradigm. This approach combines targeted security operations to clear vacuums with aggressive development schemes, such as constructing roads, telecommunication towers, and educational infrastructure like Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) to address the root socio-economic grievances of the tribal population.

Constitutional provisions

  • Article 46 — Directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • Fifth Schedule — Provides special administrative and protective provisions for Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states like Chhattisgarh, ensuring land rights and local self-governance.

Committees and reports

  • D. Bandyopadhyay Committee (Planning Commission) — Identified the root causes of LWE as socio-economic alienation, land displacement, and lack of basic services among tribals, recommending development-led solutions over pure military force.

Government schemes

  • Special Central Assistance (SCA) for Most LWE Affected Districts — Provides funds to LWE-affected districts to fill critical gaps in public infrastructure and services, particularly in education, health, and connectivity.
  • Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) — Aims to provide quality middle and high-level education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas to enable them to access high-level professional courses.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

  • Mains GS-3 2025 — The Government of India recently stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be eliminated by 2026. What do you understand by LWE and how are the people affected by it? What measures have been taken by the government to eliminate LWE?
  • Mains GS-3 2018 — Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India's approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.

Mains practice: Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) cannot be eradicated by security forces alone; it requires a deep-rooted developmental response. Discuss in the context of recent initiatives in the Bastar region.

The transition of a 15-year-old security camp in Bhatpal (Bastar) into a residential hostel for 150 tribal boys highlights the shifting paradigm of India's counter-LWE strategy—from security-first containment to development-led integration.

• **Socio-Economic Alienation as the Root Cause**: As highlighted by the *Bandyopadhyay Committee (2008)*, LWE thrives on tribal alienation, lack of basic infrastructure, and educational deficits. Repurposing security infrastructure into schools directly addresses this vacuum.

• **Security-Development Nexus**: The *National Policy and Action Plan (2015)* by the Ministry of Home Affairs combines security operations with developmental schemes like the *Special Central Assistance (SCA)*. Establishing "modern education cities" in hotbeds like Maad and Jagargunda with a Rs 100 crore budget (2026) directly counters Maoist propaganda.

• **Constitutional Mandate and Trust Building**: Under *Article 46* (DPSP) and the *Fifth Schedule*, the state is duty-bound to protect tribal interests. Providing safe pre- and post-matric hostels bridges the trust deficit between the tribal population and the state, which was historically widened by controversial initiatives like Salwa Judum (struck down in *Nandini Sundar v. State of Chhattisgarh, 2011*).

**Way Forward**:

• Accelerate the implementation of *Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)* under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in ultra-left zones.

• Ensure community forest rights under the *Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006* are settled to prevent resource-based alienation.

• Build robust digital and physical connectivity alongside educational infrastructure to prevent physical isolation.

True victory over LWE lies not in the elimination of insurgents, but in securing the constitutional promise of inclusive growth (SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities) and dignity for India's most vulnerable tribal communities.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. With reference to Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) policies in India, consider the following statements: 1. The National Policy and Action Plan to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is formulated and monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 2. The Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme provides untied funds to the most LWE-affected districts to fill critical infrastructure gaps. 3. The Supreme Court of India declared the deployment of tribal youth as special police officers (Salwa Judum) unconstitutional in the Nandini Sundar case. How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Answer: C. Statement 1 is correct: The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for LWE monitoring. Statement 2 is correct: SCA is a centrally sponsored scheme designed to fill critical infrastructure gaps in LWE districts. Statement 3 is correct: In Nandini Sundar v. State of Chhattisgarh (2011), the Supreme Court declared the state-backed Salwa Judum militia unconstitutional.

Q2. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: The Union government has prioritized the establishment of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts. Statement-II: Education and safe residential infrastructure help counter the recruitment base of Maoist insurgents by integrating tribal youth into mainstream socio-economic opportunities. Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  3. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer: A. Both statements are correct. The government prioritizes EMRS in LWE districts precisely because providing education and safe housing addresses the root socio-economic grievances that insurgents exploit for recruitment, making Statement-II a valid explanation of Statement-I.

Q3. Which of the following constitutional provisions specifically deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram?

  1. The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India which establishes autonomous district councils.
  2. Article 244A of the Constitution of India which allows creation of an autonomous state.
  3. Article 371A of the Constitution of India which provides special provisions for Nagaland.
  4. The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India which governs tribal areas in central India.

Answer: D. The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes in any State other than the four northeastern states (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram), which are covered under the Sixth Schedule.

Revision flashcards

  • Which landmark Supreme Court judgment in 2011 declared the state-backed tribal militia 'Salwa Judum' in Chhattisgarh unconstitutional? Nandini Sundar v. State of Chhattisgarh. The Court ruled that arming local youth with minimal training violated the right to life (Article 21) and equal protection.
  • Which Union Ministry is the nodal agency for implementing the National Policy and Action Plan to address Left Wing Extremism (LWE)? The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). It coordinates security-related expenditure, development funds, and deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
  • In October 2026, which district in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh was highlighted for converting a 15-year-old security camp into a tribal student hostel? Narayanpur district (specifically at the Bhatpal campus). It houses pre-matric and post-matric Scheduled Tribe boys.
  • According to administrative plans in October 2026, which two notorious former hotbeds of Maoism in Bastar are being developed as 'modern education cities' with a Rs 100 crore budget? Abujhmad (Maad) and Jagargunda. The initiative aims to build safe educational infrastructure to integrate youth from remote conflict zones.
  • Why does the 'Security-cum-Development' strategy emphasize building residential schools like EMRS in LWE-affected tribal areas? It addresses physical isolation and educational deficits, preventing Maoist recruitment while building trust in state institutions by providing safe, accessible learning environments.

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