PM Modi Recalls Maoist Violence, Says 230 Districts Across 20 States Were Once Affected

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the scale of Maoist violence in India, saying nearly 230 districts across 20 states were once affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), making the fight against Naxalism a prolonged and difficult challenge.

Speaking to security personnel during his Diwali visit to Bastar in Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister described how fear had disrupted everyday life in affected areas, with residents often unable to leave their homes after sunset.

PM Modi said Maoist violence had deprived people of their democratic rights, while the country witnessed around 2,000 attacks by extremists in a single year.

Referring to major incidents in 2010, PM Modi recalled the Dantewada attacks in which 76 CRPF personnel lost their lives during an encounter with Naxalites. He further mentioned another attack in the district that claimed the lives of 44 civilians.

The Prime Minister criticised the response of the political leadership at the time, questioning its sensitivity towards the victims of the violence. He further said the prolonged conflict had killed more than 1,000 security personnel in Chhattisgarh alone.

Citing figures from 2004 to 2013, PM Modi claimed that annual casualties among security forces exceeded the number of Naxalites killed.

The Prime Minister accused previous governments of failing to address the insurgency effectively, alleging that affected tribal communities and security personnel were left to endure recurring violence.

Highlighting a shift in the government’s approach, PM Modi said stronger political determination and a structured strategy became central to tackling the threat after 2014.

The Prime Minister added that the country needed firm leadership and clear resolve to confront threats to its security and ensure lasting progress.

Also Read: ‘Your Sacrifices Have Changed Bastar’: PM Modi Salutes Security Forces On Diwali