Raipur, Chhattisgarh – Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during an interstate coordination meeting on Naxalism held in Raipur, has confidently declared that India will see the end of Naxalism by March 2026. Addressing the media and security officials from several states, Shah outlined the government’s aggressive strategy to combat Left Wing Extremism (LWE), marking a definitive timeline for what he described as the “final assault” against the decades-old insurgency.
Shah’s announcement comes after reviewing the progress in Naxal-affected regions, where he highlighted a significant reduction in Naxal incidents by 53% over the last decade, attributing this decline to the Modi government’s multifaceted approach involving security operations, development initiatives, and efforts to bring Naxalites into the mainstream.
“Time has come to carry out the final assault along with ruthless politics to tackle leftism and Naxalism,” – Amit Shah, Home Minister.
The Home Minister emphasized the creation of a Special Investigation Agency (SIA) similar to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for more effective prosecution and announced an upcoming “new look” surrender and rehabilitation policy aimed at encouraging Naxalites to lay down arms. “Time has come to carry out the final assault along with ruthless politics to tackle leftism and Naxalism,” Shah stated, underscoring the government’s resolve. He mentioned that the fight against Naxalism has entered its end phase, with efforts now focused on filling security vacuums in LWE-affected areas and pushing forward with infrastructure and development projects.
This declaration follows previous statements where Shah praised the security forces for their successful operations, notably after an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district earlier in the year, which resulted in significant Naxal casualties. The meeting in Raipur was attended by Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries, and Director Generals of Police from states grappling with Naxalism, including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and others, signaling a coordinated push towards eradicating the insurgency.
Shah’s strategy involves not just military and police action but also focuses on development as a means to undermine the Naxalite support base. He assured that the central and state government schemes are reaching saturation in affected areas, aiming to remove the root causes of the insurgency by improving living conditions.
With this deadline, Shah has put forth an ambitious goal, reflecting the government’s confidence in its policies and operations against one of India’s most persistent internal security threats. However, the real test will be in the implementation and the coming months will be crucial in determining whether this timeline can indeed mark the end of Naxalism in India.
