Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Lok Sabha that India has effectively eradicated Naxalism, with both central and state Maoist leadership structures almost entirely dismantled ahead of the government’s deadline of March 31, 2026.
Shah detailed the significant progress made under the Modi administration’s zero-tolerance approach towards Naxalism. He highlighted the neutralization or surrender of the Maoists’ central committee leadership, with 12 members killed and only one remaining at large, currently in talks for surrender.
The state committees also saw substantial impact, with the elimination of the main 27-member state committee in a severely affected state, where 11 members were killed, and discussions initiated with two others. Additionally, in various states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Telangana, significant reductions in state committee members were reported through surrenders and neutralizations.
Shah disclosed impressive statistics, including the surrender of 4,839 Maoists, the arrest of 2,218 individuals, and the neutralization of 706 in encounters over the past three years. He emphasized the government’s offer of dialogue and rehabilitation to those willing to renounce violence, while affirming a firm stance against those who continue to engage in hostilities against security forces and civilians.
The success in combating Naxalism was attributed to a well-coordinated strategy encompassing security operations, developmental projects, and technological advancements. Shah highlighted key operations like Operation Octopus, Operation Thunderstorm, and Operation Chakra, which significantly impacted Maoist strongholds in various regions.
