Shah felicitates Telangana cops for making state Naxal-free

Hyderabad: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday felicitated police officers, including senior Telangana officials, for their role in combating Left-Wing Extremism and making Telangana a Naxal-free state. The event, held in Jagdalpur, honoured officers from insurgency-affected regions who contributed to anti-Maoist operations.

Among those recognised were Telangana DGP CV Anand, state security advisor B Shivadhar Reddy, DGP Operations (OCTOPUS & Greyhounds) Dr Anil Kumar, and Malkajgiri commissioner of police and former SIB IGP Sumati, along with her team. Shah lauded their efforts in suppressing Naxal activity and ensuring long-term security.

Addressing the gathering, Shah recalled that during a review meeting in Jan 2024, the Centre had set a target of March 31, 2026, to eliminate Naxalism nationwide. “Many doubted whether this goal was achievable, but with a clear strategy, we moved forward,” he said, adding that the Bastar region has now been declared Naxal-free.

He termed the development a historic milestone, noting that the country had grappled with Naxalism since the 1970s, witnessing violence, stalled development, and uncertainty among youth. Shah said the achievement was possible due to the sacrifices of security personnel from across states and coordinated efforts of govts and forces. Senior officials from central and state agencies attended the programme.