Govt committed to end Naxalism in Chhattisgarh by March 2026: Amit Shah

PTI Raipur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government were committed to eradicate the menace of Naxalism from the state before March 31, 2026. When Chhattisgarh becomes free of Naxalism, the entire country will get rid of the menace, Shah said addressing the President's Police Colour Award function at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur. The Chhattisgarh police have made a significant achievement in the fight against Naxalism in the last one year, he said.

Shah also hailed the Chhattisgarh government's rehabilitation policy for Naxalites and appealed to them to quit violence and join the mainstream. "The state leadership, the chief minister, the home minister of the state have taken a pledge and the Government of India is also committed to your pledge. Together, we will completely eradicate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh before March 31, 2026. We all are committed to free Chhattisgarh from the clutches of Naxalism before March 31, 2026.," he said. When Chhattisgarh becomes Naxal free, the entire country will get rid of the menace, the Union minister said, adding it is the state police's resolve to end Naxalism.

The President's Colour is not just an award, it is a symbol of service, dedication and sacrifice and it reminds of the countless challenges that police have to deal with, he said. Shah expressed confidence that the Chhattisgarh police will discharge their responsibilities and will never step back from their duty. "I am confident that from tomorrow the jawans of Chhattisgarh police will come out with the President's insignia on their uniforms and their morale will increase manifold," Shah said.

"The Chhattisgarh police have secured a significant achievement in the fight against Naxalism in the last one year...287 Naxalites were neutralised, around 1,000 were arrested and 837 surrendered in the last one year in the state, which reflects the momentum added to the fight against Naxalism. Fourteen top cadres (of Naxalites) were neutralised in the last one year in the state," he said. For the first time in four decades, the death toll of civilians and security forces in Naxal violence has been brought down to less than 100, Shah said. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naxalism has been curbed in the entire country in 10 years, he said.

A comparative analysis of the last 10 years (versus the previous decade) shows a remarkable 73 per cent decline in deaths of security personnel and 70 per cent drop in deaths of civilians in Maoist violence, he said. The Chhattisgarh police along with various security forces of the country haveprepared to put the "last nail in the coffin of Naxalism", Shah said.