Calling it a landmark day in the country’s battle against Naxalism, the Union Home Minister on Thursday said that 170 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh, while 27 laid down their arms in the state on Wednesday.
Talking of Maharashtra, Shah said 61 Naxalites returned to the mainstream on Wednesday, bringing the total to 258 battle-hardened Left-Wing Extremists who have abjured violence over the past two days.
Shah said it is a matter of immense pleasure that Abujhmarh and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh, which once served as terror bases, were declared free from Naxal terror on Thursday.
He expressed confidence that the country’s security forces will soon wipe out the existing traces of Naxalites in South Bastar.
Taking to the social media platform X, the Union Home Minister appreciated the decision of the Naxalites to renounce violence and repose their trust in the Constitution of India.
Shah further said, “This attests to the fact that Naxalism is on its last breath due to the relentless efforts of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to end the menace.”
According to Shah, since the formation of the BJP government in Chhattisgarh in January 2024, 2,100 Naxalites have surrendered, 1,785 have been arrested, and 477 have been eliminated.
“These numbers mirror our fierce resolve to wipe out Naxalism before 31 March 2026,” the Home Minister stated.
He said the government’s policy is clear — those who want to surrender are welcome, and those who continue to wield the gun will meet the wrath of the security forces.
Shah once again appealed to those who are still on the path of Naxalism to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream.
The Home Minister had earlier said that the government’s zero-tolerance approach to LWE and implementation of government schemes will transform LWE-affected areas into developed zones.