Counterinsurgency – Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that a coordinated security strategy backed by infrastructure expansion and financial disruption of extremist networks has delivered measurable gains against Left-Wing Extremism. He reiterated that the Centre remains committed to eliminating Naxal violence across the country before March 31 next year.
Unified Security Grid Across States
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Raipur, Shah stressed that efforts against Maoist groups must remain cohesive and not fragmented. He instructed central and state security agencies to function within an integrated intelligence and operational grid. The objective, he said, is to ensure that insurgents dislodged from one region are unable to regroup or find shelter in neighbouring states.
Senior officials from multiple states attended the meeting, reflecting the inter-state nature of the challenge. Shah underlined that seamless coordination between forces is critical to sustaining recent gains on the ground.
Development Push Alongside Security Measures
During the discussions, Shah highlighted the transformation of Chhattisgarh, once considered a centre of Naxal violence. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state has witnessed progress in infrastructure, education, and youth development.
According to him, young people in the state are advancing in fields such as sports, forensic science, and technical education while continuing to preserve local traditions. He added that decades of extremism had pushed communities into poverty and limited access to education, and that sustained development efforts are now reversing that trend.
Shah maintained that security enforcement and access to economic opportunities must go hand in hand. He said residents of districts once affected by violence should receive the same opportunities as citizens elsewhere in the country.
Participation of Top Officials
The review meeting was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials from the Intelligence Bureau and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Directors General of the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the National Investigation Agency were also present. Police chiefs from Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Telangana participated, underscoring the importance of cross-border coordination.
Vishnu Deo Sai said the state government’s combined approach—focused on precise operations, expanded connectivity, and curbing the financial channels of Maoist groups—has begun to show tangible results. He expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh is moving steadily toward meeting the March deadline for a Naxal-free state.
Bastar: From Stronghold to Strategic Focus
The Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh, comprising seven districts and sharing borders with Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, has long been regarded as a key base for Maoist activity. In recent years, however, security operations in the area have intensified significantly.
Police data indicate that since January 2024, more than 500 Naxalites have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh. Among them was Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, who served as general secretary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist). During the same period, nearly 1,900 individuals linked to the movement were arrested and over 2,500 surrendered, according to official figures.
Officials view these developments as signs of weakening organisational capacity within the insurgent ranks. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma described Sunday’s session as a crucial review to determine the next phase of strategy in coordination with neighbouring states.
Cultural Outreach and Public Engagement
Beyond security discussions, Shah is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony of the three-day Bastar Pandum Mahotsav in Jagdalpur on Monday. The cultural event celebrates local art and tribal heritage, reflecting what officials describe as a broader effort to integrate development initiatives with community engagement in previously affected regions.
Authorities maintain that sustained vigilance, combined with economic inclusion and infrastructure growth, will be key to ensuring long-term peace in areas once troubled by insurgency.
