Amit Shah sets March 2026 deadline to eradicate Maoism

Raipur | Correspondent: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the campaign against Left-Wing Extremism has reached a decisive phase, with a strong commitment to eradicating Naxalism from the country by March 2026.

Speaking at a review and inter-state coordination meeting with Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police from Chhattisgarh and neighboring states on Saturday, Shah emphasized the need to intensify efforts over the next two years.

“We now need to work for two more years with twice the speed and intensity than what was there at the beginning of the campaign against Naxalism, only then this problem can be completely eradicated” Shah stated. He stressed that only through sustained and intensified efforts can this issue be completely eliminated.

He said that now this problem is limited to a few pockets of Chhattisgarh. Shri Shah said that due to the steps taken by the Chhattisgarh Government, it has done much better work in the last 7 months.

He said that in these 7 months, maximum number of Naxalites have been neutralised, maximum number of Naxalites have surrendered and have been nabbed. The Home Minister congratulated the Chhattisgarh Government that after the formation of the new government, the operation against Left Wing Extremism is progressing very well.

Amit Shah said that to give more impetus to the campaign against LWE, all the Director Generals of Police should prepare an action plan by holding meetings with the team engaged in Naxal operations in their states every week.

He said that along with this, the Chief Secretaries should hold a review meeting of the development works related to the Naxal affected areas every fortnight. He said that unless the Naxal operations are monitored continuously, we will not be able to achieve the desired outcome.

Union Home Minister further commended the Chhattisgarh government for the progress made in the campaign against the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) since the formation of new government.

Speaking at a high-level review and inter-state coordination meeting in Raipur, Shah called for intensified efforts and continuous monitoring to eradicate Naxalism.

The Home Minister emphasized the importance of weekly action plans, urging all Directors General of Police to convene regular meetings with their respective teams involved in Naxal operations.

“Continuous assessment is crucial,” Shah remarked, adding that Chief Secretaries should conduct a review of development projects related to anti-Naxal operations every 15 days to ensure effective implementation.

Shah highlighted that the battle against Naxalism is not only ideological but also rooted in the underdevelopment of certain areas.

He pointed out that Left-Wing Extremists manipulate tribal communities, leading them down the wrong path.

“Fight against Naxalism is not just a fight of ideology but also of areas which are lagging behind due to lack of development. People spreading left wing extremism mislead the tribal brothers and sisters and the entire community emotionally.” he noted.

The Home Minister also called for the Joint Task Force in every state to be staffed with experienced and qualified personnel, particularly those with a deep understanding of the affected regions.

He directed the Directors General of Police to personally review and make necessary adjustments to the Joint Task Force.

Additionally, Shah stressed the need for the states to strengthen their Special Investigation Agencies (SIAs) to handle investigations and prosecutions with the same rigor as the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

“Proper training and preparedness of the SIAs are vital to achieving desired outcomes in the fight against Naxalism,” he concluded.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called on states to adopt a firm stance against Left-Wing Extremism, emphasizing that those extremists who have crossed the point of no return must face strict punishment to effectively control the problem.

Speaking at a high-level meeting in Raipur, Shah underscored the need for a flexible yet carefully monitored surrender policy to prevent misuse.

The Home Minister urged states to transfer the investigation of inter-state Naxal-related cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for more effective handling.

He highlighted the critical need for vigilance in monitoring the funding of Left-Wing Extremism, the supply of weapons, and their manufacturing processes.

Shah stressed the importance of coordination through standard operating procedures to better prepare for prosecutions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), urging states to have their investigation and prosecution teams trained by the NIA.

Shah also emphasized the role of Chief Secretaries in monitoring development projects to ensure 100 percent saturation of government schemes in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism, enabling the deprived communities to benefit from them.

He advocated for policies aimed at educating individuals who have been deprived of education due to extremist activities and called for a holistic approach to dismantling the supply chain and financing of Left-Wing Extremism.

Reaffirming the Modi government’s commitment to eradicating the entire ecosystem of Left-Wing Extremism, Shah urged all states to push the campaign forward in a comprehensive and united manner.

He stressed the need to counter the ideology of extremism not only through force but also by communicating the government’s stance with humility and firmness to all sections of society, acknowledging the human rights of those affected by extremism.

Shah reiterated the goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India free from Left-Wing Extremism by March 2026, describing the issue as a national, human, and social problem intertwined with national security.

He encouraged rapid, joint efforts to achieve this goal, highlighting the Chhattisgarh government’s initiatives for 100 percent saturation of government schemes and its efforts to promote local culture through events like the Bastar Olympics and Paralympics.

The meeting was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and senior officials from the Intelligence Bureau, NIA, CRPF, BSF, SSB, and ITBP.

Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police from Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Telangana also participated in the discussions.