Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that India is approaching the elimination of Left-Wing Extremism, with Maoist leadership structures largely dismantled ahead of the March 31, 2026, deadline set by Narendra Modi.
He made these remarks while participating in a parliamentary discussion on Naxalism.
The Home Minister said security forces have either eliminated or compelled the surrender of most members of the Maoists’ central leadership. He pointed out that 12 senior leaders have been killed, while one remains at large, with efforts ongoing to bring about his surrender.
At the state level, he noted that security forces have dismantled several organisational units, including a major 27-member committee in a key affected region, where they have neutralised most members or brought them into talks.
Shah highlighted that in Madhya Pradesh and the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh belt, several leaders have surrendered, leaving only a few active members. He added that Odisha has seen similar developments, while in Telangana, security forces have eliminated all members of the State Military Commission.
Shah shared data indicating that over the past three years, 4,839 Maoists have surrendered, 2,218 have been arrested, and 706 have been neutralised. He said these figures demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated operations.
Shah emphasised that the government continues to encourage Maoists to surrender by offering dialogue and rehabilitation. At the same time, he warned that authorities will take firm action against those who continue to engage in violence.
Key Missions and Strategy
HM Shah attributed the success to a coordinated approach involving security forces, development initiatives, and modern technology. He cited operations such as Operation Octopus in Jharkhand, Operation Thunderstorm, and Operation Chakra in Bihar as examples of effective action.
He also described a prolonged operation along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border that dismantled a well-equipped Maoist camp designed to support hundreds of cadres.
Shah commended the efforts of personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA units, District Reserve Guard, and state police forces, particularly in Bastar.
He criticised previous governments for not prioritising development in tribal areas, which allowed Maoists to gain influence. He said, “The truth is that development was denied to Bastar because of red terror,” while adding that welfare schemes have expanded significantly in recent years.
Shah expressed confidence that with Maoist networks weakened and only limited presence remaining, the country is close to achieving a Naxal-free status. He stated that the government will soon complete the final steps required to formally declare the end of the insurgency.
Also Read: Amit Shah Reports Major Anti-Naxal Gains, Reaffirms Deadline To Eliminate LWE By March 2026
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