Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed on Monday the Centre's unflinching commitment towards rooting out Left Wing Extremism (LWE) from India with March 31, 2026, being the last deadline.
Addressing security forces in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Shah complimented their relentless work in what is still one of the nation's longest-running internal security struggles.
The function saw the presence of officers and staff members of numerous forces, such as the Central Armed Police Forces, Chhattisgarh Police, CoBRA commandos, Bastar Fighters, and the District Reserve Guard (DRG). Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, Union Home Secretary, and senior members of the Intelligence Bureau and Border Security Force also graced the event.
During his address, Shah commended the courage and strategic excellence of the forces operating in some of India’s most challenging terrains. “Even the world’s most experienced forces have acknowledged the precision and bravery with which Maoist strongholds have been dismantled,” he stated.
On the concluding day of his two-day visit to the state, the Home Minister expressed full confidence in achieving complete elimination of LWE by the 2026 deadline.
Taking note on social media, Shah posted his feelings on X:
"Of all the activities that I have undertaken, the ones that bring me the most joy are being with our security personnel. Their love for the country, sacrifice, and commitment evoke the admiration and respect of every citizen.". Today, in Chhattisgarh, I was honored to have met the valiant men and women of Central Security Forces, Chhattisgarh Police, Bastar Fighters, and the District Reserve Guard. When India's victory over Naxalism becomes history, the dedication and courage of these forces will be recorded as a page written in golden ink.
Looking at the cost of human lives in the Maoist rebellion, Shah added that an estimated 40,000 lives had been lost or irrevocably damaged in the last 35 years. He talked about how LWE had isolated whole tribal areas from any development in the first place — depriving people of electricity, clean drinking water, health care, education, and roads.
But Shah injected a note of optimism when he spoke of the seen change in areas under attack. Villages that were previously tainted by terror and violence are experiencing improved infrastructure and an enhanced standard of living. "The real victory," he explained, "will be when each child in these villages chooses up a pencil rather than a gun.
He stressed that the transformation from fear to opportunity would be not only the culmination of insurgency, but the beginning of a new era for India's tribal heartland.
At a symbolic juncture during the function, Shah hosted the book 'Lior Oyna', which chronicles the atrocities suffered by tribal masses at the hands of Maoist outfits and the efforts taken to free Bastar from their grasp.
Terming the book as much a historical account as well as a refutation of those who glorify extremism in the name of human rights, Shah stated that it showcases the agony, perseverance, and bravery of millions of innocent lives that have been affected by the bloodshed.
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