Baghel questions ‘Naxal-Free’ claims in Chhattisgarh
Baghel says Chhattisgarh not yet Naxal-free
Raipur | Correspondent: Bhupesh Baghel, the former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, has issued a significant statement regarding the status of Naxalism in the state, asserting that the menace has not yet been completely eradicated from the region. Speaking to a news agency on Sunday, Baghel clarified that Naxal-related incidents continue to occur in affected areas such as Bastar, where security forces remain continuously deployed.
Citing the measures implemented during his administration, Bhupesh Baghel noted that under Congress rule, efforts were undertaken to empower the residents of Bastar and to reintegrate approximately 600 Naxal-affected villages back into the mainstream. He emphasized that it would be premature to declare the state 'Naxal-free' until the situation returns to complete normalcy and such incidents cease entirely.
Baghel further pointed out that local elected representatives and government officials still require the protection of security forces an indication that the challenge persists.
Notably, Baghel's statement comes in the wake of claims made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had set a target of completely ridding the country of Naxalism by March 2026 and had expressed confidence in the success of recent operations. Citing statistics and ground realities, Baghel has cast doubt upon the government's claims regarding the state being 'Naxal-free.'
