Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the Lok Sabha that India is on course to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026, as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shah highlighted the successful operations against LWE, with 706 Maoists neutralized, 2,218 arrested, and 4,839 surrendered in recent years. He criticized those spreading false narratives among tribal communities, emphasizing their lack of faith in democracy and development.
Shah noted the significant progress in Bastar, a former Maoist stronghold, where Naxalism has nearly been eradicated. Basic amenities like schools, ration shops, food distribution, and Aadhaar card facilities have been extended to the villagers. He questioned the prolonged deprivation of developmental benefits in Bastar under Congress rule and highlighted the positive changes post-2014, attributing past neglect to “red terror.”
The Home Minister emphasized the government’s unwavering stance against those resorting to violence and rejecting the constitutional framework. Shah warned that anyone resorting to arms would face consequences, urging remaining Maoists to surrender and integrate into mainstream society with rehabilitation support. He held previous administrations, especially the Congress, responsible for the lack of progress in tribal regions, enabling Maoist exploitation and misleading of innocent tribals.
The parliamentary discussion occurred a day before the government’s deadline to eliminate LWE by 2026. Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combatting the long-standing issue through robust security measures and accelerated development in affected areas.
