Clear Hold Build Doctrine — India’s LWE Counter-Insurgency Strategy | FOBs, RCPLWEA, Dharti Aaba Abhiyan UPSC

With reference to India's strategy to eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE), consider the following statements regarding the 'Clear, Hold, and Build' counter-insurgency doctrine:
1. The 'Clear' phase involves intelligence-led offensive operations to neutralize armed insurgents and destroy Maoist safe havens.
2. The 'Hold' phase involves establishing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) deep inside Maoist strongholds such as Abujhmad.
3. The 'Build' phase includes programmes such as the Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) and the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: 1, 2 and 3

All three statements are correct. India's counter-insurgency strategy against Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is built on the globally recognized 'Clear, Hold, and Build' doctrine, implemented under the National Policy and Action Plan (2015).

Statement-wise Analysis

• Statement 1 — Correct: The 'Clear' phase (Security Measures) involves intelligence-led offensive operations using specialized jungle warfare units such as CoBRA (CRPF), Greyhounds (Andhra/Telangana), and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) to neutralize insurgents and destroy Maoist infrastructure. Key operations include Operation Octopus, Operation Double Bull, Operation Chakrabandha (2022), and Operation Kagar (2025).
• Statement 2 — Correct: The 'Hold' phase involves establishing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) — heavily fortified police camps deep inside unmapped Maoist strongholds such as Abujhmad forest in Chhattisgarh. This permanently chokes insurgent supply lines and prevents regrouping, representing a shift from defensive containment to an offensive posture.
• Statement 3 — Correct: The 'Build' phase (Accelerated Development) addresses the root causes of extremism — geographical isolation and extreme poverty. Key programmes include:
  - RCPLWEA: Building all-weather roads through dense forests.
  - Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: Saturation campaigns ensuring basic amenities reach remote tribal villages.
  - Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Quality education for tribal youth.
  - 100% 4G mobile coverage in LWE districts.

India's LWE Status (2026)

• The Union Home Minister declared India 'Naxal-free' in April 2026.
• Bastar (Chhattisgarh), historically the strongest LWE bastion, has seen Maoists being 'more or less wiped out'.
• The Government of India's target was to completely eliminate LWE by March 2026.

Challenges That Remain

• Security vacuum as CAPFs begin withdrawal.
• Transformation of Maoist cadres into organized criminal syndicates.
• 'Absentee Administration' syndrome — weak service delivery.
• Urban Naxalism and intellectual 'overground' networks.