Following the recent elimination of 31 Maoist millitants in Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will hold a critical review meeting with the Chief Ministers of eight states affected by left-wing extremism (LWE) on Monday.
The meeting will include Chief Ministers from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Telangana, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. It aims to address strategies for combating the Maoist threat.
In addition to the Chief Ministers, five Union Ministers and senior officials from relevant Central ministries will also attend. They are involved in supporting development initiatives in LWE-affected areas. The Deputy National Security Advisor and senior officers from the Central Armed Police Forces will join the discussions.
An official statement emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Home Minister Shah’s guidance, the Union government is committed to eradicating LWE by March 2026. The government is providing extensive assistance to affected states.
Also Read: Alert Loco Pilot Averts Train Accident In Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh
The Home Minister had previously chaired a review meeting with the Chief Ministers on October 6, 2023, where he issued comprehensive guidelines for LWE eradication.
According to the government, the strategies implemented by PM Modi’s administration have resulted in a 72% reduction in violence and an 86% decrease in fatalities in 2023 compared to 2010. The ongoing fight against LWE is now reportedly in its final phase.
Key statistics for 2024 indicate significant success for security forces against Maoists. So far this year, 202 Maoists have been killed, and 723 have surrendered. Consequently, the number of LWE-affected districts is projected to fall to just 38 in 2024.
The Union government is also advancing welfare schemes in remote areas impacted by Maoist insurgency. Special emphasis is being placed on enhancing road and mobile connectivity. To date, approximately 14,400 kilometers of roads have been constructed in these regions, and about 6,000 mobile towers have been installed.
