Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that Naxalism in India is nearing its end, describing it as being in its “last breath” and stating that it has been almost completely eliminated from key regions such as Bastar in Chhattisgarh. His remarks came in the context of the Centre’s March 31 deadline to eradicate Maoist insurgency, reflecting the government’s confidence in its sustained anti-Naxal operations.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Shah highlighted that areas once considered the epicentre of Maoist activity are now transitioning towards development and stability. He credited this shift to a combination of coordinated efforts by central security forces, state police, and active participation from local tribal communities, all of whom played a role in weakening the insurgent network.
He pointed to measurable outcomes to support this claim. According to Shah, more than 4,800 Naxals have surrendered and joined rehabilitation programmes, while security forces have neutralised 706 insurgents in the past three years alone. He also stated that the number of Naxal-affected districts has reduced significantly, with only two such districts remaining, indicating a sharp contraction of the insurgency’s geographical spread.
Shah emphasised that regions like Bastar, once synonymous with violence and inaccessibility, are now witnessing development initiatives reaching the grassroots. He described ongoing efforts to expand infrastructure, including schools, healthcare facilities, ration distribution systems, and identification services such as Aadhaar, as part of a broader push to integrate remote areas into mainstream governance.
At the same time, he adopted a firm stance on security, reiterating that the government would not tolerate armed movements challenging the constitutional framework. He stated that while the government remains open to dialogue and addressing grievances, any use of violence would be met with strict action. He underscored that democracy does not permit armed resistance as a means of expression.
The Home Minister also placed the issue in a broader historical context, noting that Maoist violence has claimed nearly 20,000 lives and affected millions over decades. He argued that large parts of central and eastern India had once seen a breakdown of law and order, with insurgents exercising control over vast regions. According to him, the current phase marks a reversal of that situation.
In his address, Shah criticised the Congress, accusing previous governments of failing to address the problem effectively. He rejected the argument that underdevelopment alone was responsible for the rise of Naxalism, instead attributing it to ideological factors. He further alleged that past governance gaps allowed Maoist influence to expand in tribal areas.
He also referenced broader policy measures undertaken since 2014, presenting them as part of a wider effort to address long-standing national issues. Within this framework, he positioned the decline of Naxalism as one of several major changes achieved during the current government’s tenure.
Despite the strong claims, Shah acknowledged the long and complex nature of the conflict, paying tribute to security personnel and civilians who lost their lives over the years. He also noted that a significant portion of the weapons used by Naxal groups had been sourced from attacks on security forces, highlighting the intensity of past confrontations.
Overall, the government’s position, as articulated by Shah, is that India is now close to eliminating Naxalism entirely. The combination of security operations, surrenders, reduced territorial influence, and expanded development outreach is being presented as evidence of a decisive shift, even as the final phase of the campaign continues.
