Overview

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated India's commitment to eliminate Naxalism in Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. He emphasized the progress made in the fight against Naxalism, highlighting key successes and outlining the strategy for the coming years.

Key Pointers

• Government Commitment: Amit Shah emphasized the joint commitment of the Government of India and the Chhattisgarh state leadership to rid the state of Naxalism by 2026.
• Security Forces’ Success: Over the past year, Chhattisgarh police neutralized 287 Naxalites, arrested around 1,000, and saw 837 surrenders.
• Top Naxal Cadres Neutralized: The state forces successfully neutralized 14 high-ranking Naxal cadres.
• President’s Police Colour Award: Chhattisgarh Police received the President's insignia within 25 years, a significant achievement for the state.

The Three-Pronged Strategy for Eliminating Maoist Insurgency

1. Security Measures (Force)

Deployment of Security Forces

• Enhanced Presence: Increased deployment of Central and State police forces in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) areas.
• Joint Operations: Coordinated operations between state and central forces, including CRPF and COBRA units.
• Upgraded Technology: Incorporation of UAVs, solar lights, and mobile towers to enhance operational efficiency.

Operation SAMADHAN

• Key Elements:
  • Smart Leadership: Leading with innovative strategies.
  • Aggressive Strategy: Swift, decisive action against insurgents.
  • Motivation and Training: Strengthening the capabilities of forces.
  • Actionable Intelligence: Real-time intelligence for effective operations.
  • Harnessing Technology: Using modern tech for strategic advantage.

2. Development Initiatives

Focused Development Schemes

• PMGSY: Rural road connectivity under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
• Aspirational Districts Program: Improving infrastructure in Naxal-affected areas.
• Skill Development: Targeted schemes in 47 LWE-affected districts to reduce unemployment.

Infrastructure Development

• Special Infrastructure Schemes: Building schools, roads, and bridges in remote areas to integrate them into the mainstream economy.
• Rehabilitation: Focus on providing rehabilitation for former Naxals through education and vocational training.

3. Empowerment (Winning Hearts and Minds)

Public Engagement

• Tribal Empowerment: Strengthening communication with tribal communities to reduce alienation and mistrust.
• Rehabilitation Policies: Surrender schemes offering incentives like education and financial aid to reintegrate former insurgents into society.

Maoism: Ideology and Background

What is Maoism?

• Origin: A form of communism developed by Mao Tse Tung, focusing on armed insurgency to capture state power.
• Core Beliefs: Maoists believe in violence and insurrection as legitimate means to overthrow the state and establish a People’s Democratic Republic.
• Indian Maoism: The Communist Party of India (Maoist), formed in 2004, leads the largest Maoist insurgency in India.

Recent Achievements in Combatting Maoist Insurgency

Key Successes in 2023

• Maoist-Free Villages: Villages in Dantewada declared "Maoist-free," a significant victory for the state.
• Reduction in Security Forces’ Casualties: 14 deaths in 2024, a dramatic decrease from 198 deaths in 2007.
• Infrastructure and Logistical Support: Enhanced use of helicopters and fortified police stations.

Government’s Commitment to Rebuilding

• Rehabilitation and Welfare: The government is implementing policies to improve the living standards of affected families, including 15,000 houses for Naxal-affected regions.
• Economic Development: Focus on building infrastructure and providing employment through skills training programs.

Challenges in Eliminating Naxalism

Socio-Economic Issues

• Exploitation of Tribals: Marginalization of tribals due to displacement for mining and forestry.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Basic amenities like roads, schools, and healthcare are absent in many areas.
• Centralized Naxal Command: The CPI (Maoist) retains a strong leadership, despite fragmentation of its forces.

Governance and Trust Issues

• Alienation of Local Populations: Ineffective governance and poor implementation of welfare schemes fuel local support for Naxal groups.
• Resource Conflict: The Naxals exploit rich mineral resources in the region to fund their insurgency.

Way Forward

Governance and Economic Reforms

• Tribal Empowerment: Form Tribal Advisory Councils as per the Fifth Schedule for better resource management.
• Land Redistribution: Enforce the Land Ceiling Act to reduce inequality.
• Livelihood Programs: Offer alternative livelihoods to reduce dependency on illegal activities.

Security Measures

• Paramilitary Deployment: Specialized forces to secure tribal areas and enable local governance.
• Resource Management: Ensure sustainable exploitation of natural resources, involving tribal communities in the decision-making process.

Peace Dialogues

• Inclusive Policies: Engage in dialogue with Naxals to facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society.

Conclusion

Naxalism in India, particularly in Chhattisgarh, is a complex issue rooted in socio-economic inequalities, lack of development, and historical alienation of tribal communities. The government's approach, encapsulated in the SAMADHAN strategy, combines security operations with developmental initiatives and a focus on empowerment to tackle the problem. With a clear commitment to eliminate Naxalism by 2026, the Indian government is making significant strides in reducing violence, improving governance, and integrating affected communities into the mainstream.

Introduction

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched Proba-3, a mission that will create an artificial solar eclipse to study the Sun's atmosphere, known as the corona. This mission aims to demonstrate new technology and address unresolved questions about the Sun's outer layers.

What is an Artificial Solar Eclipse?

• Definition: An artificial solar eclipse mimics the natural phenomenon where the moon blocks sunlight, allowing detailed observation of the Sun’s corona.
• Created By: The eclipse is created by two satellites, which align to block the Sun's light and generate a controlled shadow for scientific study.
• Purpose: The goal is to study the Sun’s corona, particularly to understand why it is significantly hotter than the Sun’s surface.

How Does the Proba-3 Create an Eclipse?

Launch and Spacecraft

Proba-3 was launched on December 5 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India. The mission uses two satellites:

• Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC): This spacecraft guides the other satellite.
• Occulter Spacecraft (OSC): This satellite has a disk that creates a controlled shadow onto the CSC.

Formation Flying

Using Precise Formation Flying (PFF) technology, the two spacecraft maintain a precise distance of 150 meters (492 feet) apart, aligning perfectly with the Sun. This alignment mimics the effect of a solar eclipse.

Precision Requirements

The eclipse will need to maintain millimetre-level accuracy for up to six hours per orbit to provide scientists with stable observational conditions.

Mission Goals

• Demonstrating PFF Technology: One of the primary objectives of the Proba-3 mission is to demonstrate PFF technology. This involves using GPS and inter-satellite radio links for positioning, as well as maintaining a precise distance between the two spacecraft.
• Studying the Sun’s Corona: Another goal is to understand why the corona is hotter than the Sun's surface. The onboard instruments, including a coronagraph, will help with this research. The coronagraph will block out the Sun’s bright light, enabling clearer observations of the corona.
• ASPICCS Coronagraph: The Proba-3 coronagraph, named the Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun (ASPICCS), is designed to observe the corona in high detail, mimicking the observational conditions of a total solar eclipse.

Why Is This Such a Big Deal?

• Revealing the Sun’s Corona: The Sun’s corona is typically invisible because it is much less bright than the Sun’s surface. It can only be seen during a solar eclipse when the Moon blocks the Sun's light.
• Predicting Space Weather: Studying the corona helps scientists predict space weather and geomagnetic storms, which can disrupt satellites and other systems on Earth.
• Extended Observations: Unlike natural solar eclipses, which last only a few minutes, Proba-3 can provide six hours of observation time in each orbit (approximately 19 hours and 36 minutes), allowing for continuous study of the corona.

What is Precise Formation Flying (PFF) Technology?

• Definition: PFF technology allows satellites to maintain exact positions and orientations relative to each other in orbit.
• Mechanism: The technology uses GPS, inter-satellite radio links, and automated control systems to ensure alignment.
• Implementation in Proba-3: In the Proba-3 mission, the Coronagraph and Occulter spacecraft stay 150 meters apart, using PFF to maintain millimetre-level precision, which is crucial for simulating a solar eclipse.
• Benefits: PFF enhances mission accuracy and provides a platform for advanced observational techniques that will enable more detailed studies of the Sun's corona.

Conclusion

Proba-3 is a groundbreaking mission that will offer unprecedented insights into the Sun’s corona by simulating solar eclipses using advanced satellite technology. By studying the Sun’s outer layers, scientists aim to improve our understanding of space weather and the mysterious temperature anomaly of the corona.