Amit Shah: Will meet March 2026 deadline to wipe out Naxalism, come rain or shine

RAIPUR: Union home minister Amit Shah Monday termed Naxalism a "tragedy for the poor and tribal communities" and reiterated his pledge to meet the deadline of eliminating the menace by March next year.

"When the country becomes free from Naxalism in March 2026, that moment will be one of the most defining moments in India's post-Independence history," he said during an interaction with security personnel in Nava Raipur.

Insurgency has claimed over 40,000 lives in last 35 years and left countless others permanently disabled, he added.

Blaming Naxalism for blocking access to basic amenities like food, housing, and healthcare in tribal-dominated areas, Shah drew a poignant contrast between violence and education. "When a child from a Naxal-affected region picks up a pencil instead of a gun, it is not just the future of that region, but that of the entire nation that changes," he said.

"Wherever Naxalism is retreating, govt is sending in food, schools, houses, electricity, toilets, and drinking water," Shah said, adding that this inclusive approach is breaking the backbone of 'red terror'.

Shah also conducted a detailed review of the ongoing anti-Naxal operations and met the security personnel involved in the operations that neutralised CPI (Maoist) general secretary Basvaraju in Abujhmarh and other top Maoists in Karregutta hills.

Praising the security forces, Shah said their efforts have stunned global counterinsurgency experts. "The courage with which our forces have dismantled Maoist strongholds is unmatched."

He paid rich tributes to the martyrdom of personnel from Central Armed Police Forces, the CoBRA unit, Chhattisgarh Police, and the District Reserve Guard (DRG), saying that when the final chapters of India's battle against Naxalism are written, the sacrifices of the security forces will be recorded in golden letters.

"Every time during rainy season, Naxals used to get a break as operations were halted due to the inaccessible terrain. But this time, we will not let them sleep," Shah said at an event in Nava Raipur Sunday.