Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that India has made substantial progress in its efforts to eliminate Naxalism, marking a key step toward a more secure and developed nation.
The number of districts most affected by Left-wing extremism has been reduced from 12 to six, a result of sustained government action.
Shah emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the vision of a strong, safe, and prosperous India is steadily becoming a reality.
Sharing the update on X, Shah posted, “Taking a giant stride towards building a Naxal-free Bharat, today our nation achieved a new milestone by significantly reducing the number of districts most affected by left-wing extremism to just 6 from 12. The Modi government is building a Sashakt, Surakshit and Samriddh Bharat with a ruthless approach to Naxalism and relentless efforts for all-pervasive development. Bharat is determined to uproot Naxalism for good by 31st March 2026.”
Shah has urged Maoists to abandon violence, surrender, and reintegrate into society, assuring them of rehabilitation through government programs.
The government has implemented a two-pronged strategy – intensifying operations against insurgents while investing in development projects.
This approach aims to eliminate extremist influence while improving the living conditions of communities in affected regions.
With the 2026 deadline in focus, efforts are being ramped up in vulnerable areas, including:
Shah will likely visit Chhattisgarh on April 4 for a two-day trip.
He will review the state’s anti-Naxal operations in a high-level meeting, sources said.
Additionally, he is likely to attend the concluding ceremony of ‘Pandum Mahotsava,’ a Bastar tribal festival. He will also perform rituals at the Danteshwari temple in Dantewada.
While no official confirmation has been issued, the review meeting is expected to be crucial in achieving the government’s goal of a Naxal-free India by 2026.
According to the Union Home Ministry, security forces have eliminated at least 130 Maoists in Chhattisgarh this year, with over 110 fatalities recorded in Bastar.
Additionally, 105 Naxalites have been arrested, and 164 surrendered in 2025.
In 2024, 290 Naxalites were neutralized, 1,090 were arrested, and 881 surrendered.
Among those eliminated were 15 senior Maoist leaders.
Over the last decade, Naxal-related violence has dropped by 53%, with incidents decreasing from 16,463 (2004-2014) to 7,744 (2014-2024).
Security force casualties declined by 73%, while civilian deaths saw a 70% reduction.
Security forces have intensified anti-Naxal efforts in Chhattisgarh, leading to a surge in surrenders and successful operations.
On Monday, a female Naxalite, Renuka, carrying a bounty of Rs 45 lakh, was neutralized.
Over the last 15 months, eight prominent Maoist leaders, including Joganna, Karthik, Nidhi, Sagar, and Sudhir, have been eliminated.
In 2025 alone, 119 bodies of Naxalites were recovered following encounters, marking a major blow to the extremist movement.
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