New Delhi, India : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that India is in the final phase of eliminating Maoism (Left-Wing Extremism) and is on course to be fully free of the insurgency by March 2026. The announcement was made during a high-level security and development review meeting focusing on Maoist-affected regions.
Shah highlighted that Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, long considered the epicenter of Naxal violence, will be transformed into India’s most advanced tribal division by 2030. The government’s strategy combines intensified security operations with large-scale investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment generation.
According to official data cited by the Home Minister, over 10,000 Maoist cadres have surrendered in recent years, while the number of districts affected by left-wing extremism has fallen sharply due to coordinated action by central and state security forces. Intelligence-led operations, better road connectivity, mobile networks, and financial inclusion have significantly weakened Maoist networks.
Shah emphasized that the government’s approach goes beyond force, focusing on development as the permanent solution to extremism. “Peace will be sustained only when tribal youth have access to opportunities and dignity,” he said.
The Chhattisgarh government, in coordination with central agencies, is accelerating projects related to roads, schools, skill centers, and industrial employment in Bastar and surrounding districts.
However, opposition parties have raised questions over the timeline, pointing to earlier deadlines that were not fully met. Critics argue that while violence has reduced, sustained political dialogue and social inclusion remain essential for lasting peace.
Despite the skepticism, the Home Ministry maintains that the current decline in violence and surrenders marks the strongest position India has held against Maoism in decades.
