Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday declared that Naxalism in India has reached the “verge of its end” following a high-level security review meeting held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Emphasising a firm deadline, Shah reiterated that the menace of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) would be completely eradicated from the country before March 31 this year.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Shah said a multi-pronged strategy focused on security operations, infrastructure development, disruption of Maoist financial networks, and an effective surrender policy has delivered significant results. He credited the “double-engine government” for intensifying coordinated efforts between the Centre and states affected by Naxal violence.

In a post on social media platform X, the Home Minister highlighted that the government’s security-centric approach has weakened Naxalite influence across core areas. He asserted that sustained pressure on armed cadres and leadership, combined with development initiatives, has substantially reduced the operational capabilities of Maoist groups.

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The review meeting was attended by senior central and state officials, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy CM Vijay Sharma. Top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Intelligence Bureau, and heads of major security forces such as the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and NIA were also present, along with police chiefs from several Naxal-affected states.

Later in the day, Shah addressed a conclave organised by Organiser Weekly, where he described communist ideology as “destructive” and appealed to Naxalites to abandon violence. He assured that those who surrender would be welcomed by the government “with a red carpet,” stressing that the issue is ideological rather than merely developmental or related to law and order.

Backing his claims with data, Shah noted that since January 2024, over 500 Naxalites have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh, while nearly 1,900 have been arrested and more than 2,500 have surrendered. He also claimed that communist ideology has largely faded from democratic politics across India, asserting that the country must completely free itself from its influence to ensure long-term peace and development.

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