Amit Shah said the government has been working to fill the security vacuum in LWE-hit areas.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set March 2026 as the target to eliminate Maoist activities in India.
He emphasized, “A strong and ruthless strategy is required for launching the last assault against such groups.”
Big Target to End Maoism by 2026
During his visit to Chhattisgarh, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a press briefing in Raipur. Shah reviewed the situation of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and high-ranking police officers from both central and state authorities. He urged Maoists to surrender and announced that the Centre will introduce a new surrender policy in the next two months.
A strong and ruthless strategy is required for launching the last assault against Maoists,” the Home Minister declared. He noted that Maoist violence has been a significant challenge to the nation’s democracy, claiming approximately 17,000 lives.
Not a New Battle
In December of the previous year, Amit Shah declared that the nation is nearly on the brink of eradicating Maoist extremism. At the 59th Raising Day of Border Security Force, he mentioned, “In the last 10 years, incidents of Maoist violence have decreased by 52 per cent, deaths in these incidents have declined by 70 per cent, and the number of affected districts has reduced from 96 to 45.” Furthermore, the number of LWE-affected police stations has dropped from 495 to 176, he noted.
Today’s Facts and Figures
During the press briefing, Shah reiterated these statistics, highlighting there was a 53 per cent reduction in Naxal incidents from 2014-24 compared to 2004-14. “It is time to deal the final blow to the problem of Left Wing Extremism with a strong strategy. We believe we will be able to free the country from Left Wing Extremism by March 2026,” Shah stated.
He added that the government has been working to fill the security gaps in LWE-affected areas, with security personnel conducting operations alongside development projects.
Collaboration on Multiple Fronts
Shah explained that along with the state and Central Armed Police Forces, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been cooperating to eradicate Maoist extremism.
The Home Ministry’s Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Division, established in 2006, tackles the issue comprehensively. This division monitors the LWE situation and oversees countermeasures undertaken by the affected states.
The division also focuses on capacity building in states to combat LWE through various Home Ministry schemes. These include the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, Special Infrastructure Scheme, and Special Central Assistance. Moreover, the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in affected regions and assistance to state governments with anti-extremism initiatives are key approaches.
Final Assault on Maoism
By setting a definitive target of March 2026, Amit Shah emphasized the urgent need for concrete actions and comprehensive strategies. The approach combines both security operations and developmental efforts to ensure that affected areas are not only cleared of Maoist presence but also nurtured back to normalcy.
Shah’s statements suggest a multifaceted plan involving central and state forces, financial and infrastructural support, and close monitoring to ensure meticulous execution. The emphasis on a new surrender policy aims to facilitate the transition of former Maoists into society.
As per Shah’s vision, a concerted and ruthless effort in the coming years will likely bring an end to the long-standing Maoist issue. With inputs and cooperation from various state and central agencies, the government looks forward to achieving this ambitious target by March 2026.
With Inputs from PTI
