Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Monday that eliminating Naxalism by March 2026 will stand as one of India’s most defining moments since Independence, heralding a new era of peace and development in tribal regions. Speaking at the ‘Sankalp - Interaction with Force Commanders and Commandos’ event in Nava Raipur, Shah lauded the bravery of security forces, predicting their efforts will be etched in “golden letters” in the saga of India’s victory over Left-Wing Extremism (LWE).

Addressing personnel involved in major anti-Naxal operations, including the May 21 killing of CPI (Maoist) general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju in Bastar, Shah emphasized the Modi government’s resolve to make India Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. “The courage, patience, and commitment of our jawans have stunned global counterparts,” he said, crediting the Central Armed Police Forces, CoBRA teams, Chhattisgarh Police, and District Reserve Guard for dismantling Maoist hideouts.

Shah highlighted the devastating toll of Naxalism, which has claimed nearly 40,000 lives over 35 years and trapped tribal areas in poverty, denying them food, electricity, education, and sanitation. “Naxalism forced entire regions into slavery-like conditions,” he said, adding that a child choosing a pencil over a gun signals a transformative future for the nation.

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The minister praised Chhattisgarh’s BJP government under CM Vishnu Deo Sai for delivering essential services, reconnecting tribal communities with mainstream development. Since January 2024, over 400 Maoists have been neutralized in Chhattisgarh alone, with 521 surrenders in 2024, signaling a crumbling insurgency. Shah urged remaining Maoists to surrender, promising rehabilitation through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and vocational training.

Shah released Leor Oyna, a book chronicling the lives of Naxal violence victims, aimed at exposing the insurgency’s brutality and countering misguided human rights narratives. His scheduled visit to a Narayanpur security camp was canceled due to heavy rainfall, but Shah’s two-day Chhattisgarh tour included high-level anti-Naxal strategy meetings, where he vowed relentless operations, even during the monsoon.

With Naxal influence now confined to just three districts in Chhattisgarh, down from 126 across 10 states in 2014, Shah’s March 2026 deadline reflects a multi-pronged strategy of security operations, development, and rehabilitation. As India nears this historic goal, the sacrifices of security forces and the government’s unwavering commitment signal a turning point in the fight against one of the nation’s longest-running internal threats.

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