237 Naxalites neutralised in Chhattisgarh since January 2024: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Oct 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while chairing a high-level review meeting on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in New Delhi, declared major progress in the government’s ongoing battle against Naxalism.

Since January 2024, a total of 237 Naxalites have been neutralized, 812 arrested, and 723 have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, marking a major breakthrough in counterinsurgency efforts in the region. Shah credited the joint efforts of the central and state governments for these achievements.

The Union Home Minister said that for the first time in 30 years, the number of casualties due to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) was below 100 in 2022, which is a significant achievement. He mentioned that from 2014 to 2024, there has been a substantial decline in Naxal-related incidents. He said that 14 top Naxal leaders have been neutralised, and the government welfare schemes have been better implemented to reach the last man in the queue.

Amit Shah said that the fight against LWE is in its final phase, and by March 2026, with everyone’s cooperation, the country will be completely free from this decades-old menace. He further mentioned that areas like Buddha Pahad and Chakarbandha have been completely free from the grip of Naxalism. He added that 85 per cent of the LWE cadre strength in Chhattisgarh has been eliminated, and now the need is to deliver a final blow to Naxalism.

“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, we are determined to completely eliminate Naxalism by March 2026,” Shah stated. He underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing the issue, which has hindered development in several states for decades. “Our goal is to ensure that every tribal area, every remote village, and every citizen can benefit from the fruits of development, which Naxalism has prevented for far too long,” he added.

Shah pointed to the significant reduction in violent incidents in LWE-affected areas, noting that from 2004 to 2014, there were 16,463 cases of violence linked to left-wing extremism, but in the past decade, this number has dropped to 7,700—a 53% reduction. He attributed this success to the government’s strong, multifaceted approach combining security measures and development initiatives.

Highlighting the infrastructure improvements Shah said, “From 2004 to 2014, only 66 fortified police stations were built, but in the last 10 years, we have constructed 544 such stations, ensuring that our forces have the necessary support to operate effectively in Naxal-affected regions.” The focus on enhancing police infrastructure, coupled with the deployment of additional security forces, has been critical in filling the security vacuum in these regions, Shah explained.

The Union Home Minister also praised the establishment of 194 security camps in LWE-affected areas, which have contributed significantly to the improved security situation. Shah emphasised the need to continue this momentum by strengthening intelligence-sharing mechanisms and enhancing coordination between state police and central forces. He particularly lauded the role of state special forces and their cooperation with the central government.

Calling on young people involved in Naxalism to surrender, Shah urged them to “leave the path of violence” and take advantage of rehabilitation schemes that offer a path to rejoin society and contribute to the country’s development. He pointed out that more than 13,000 people from insurgency-hit areas such as the Northeast, Kashmir, and LWE-affected states have already laid down arms and reintegrated into the mainstream.

Shah also highlighted the Modi government’s investment in development as part of the strategy to combat extremism. The expenditure under the security-related expenditure scheme has been tripled, from Rs 1,180 crore between 2004 and 2014, to Rs 3,006 crore between 2014 and 2024. Similarly, Rs 3,590 crore has been spent under the Special Central Assistance scheme for LWE-affected areas in the last decade, signalling the government’s focus on inclusive development.

He also pointed to the improvements in infrastructure, including road and mobile connectivity. “ These infrastructure developments are crucial for ensuring that government schemes and services reach the most underserved communities.

In his concluding remarks, Shah called on all Chief Ministers of LWE-affected states to personally review the progress of both anti-Naxal operations and developmental efforts on a monthly basis.