Amit Shah expected to address Lok Sabha on his March 31 Naxal-free India deadline

With his March 31 deadline of decimating Naxalism from the country fast approaching, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to address the Lok Sabha on the issue on Monday, highlighting the government’s efforts to counter Left-wing extremism and the progress made so far.

According to the official List of Business, Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde will raise the issue of the government’s efforts to free the country from Naxalites and initiate a discussion under Rule 193 of the Lok Sabha.

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Shah, on several occasions, has reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

In the last one year, the security forces have neutralised several top Maoist leaders. Many of them have also surrendered and returned to the mainstream.

The latest was one of the most wanted Maoist leaders, Sukru, along with four others surrendering before the Odisha Police on March 25. They also surrendered weapons, including an AK-47 rifle, one INSAS and one single-shot gun.

According to ADG (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeev Panda, the Maoists carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 66 lakh.

“Now the Maoist number is very limited to single digits, only 8-9 are left in Kandhamal district. In the coming days, we will intensify our anti-Naxal operations so that we get some result by the target date, which is March 31,” Panda said.

BJP MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat said that Naxalism was a big problem but the government’s efforts have resulted in the surrender of most Naxalites.

“Some districts were affected due to Naxalism, and their participation in development was not possible. The government’s effort has been to figure out how to free these districts from Naxalism. A target of March 31, 2026, was set. Last year, we saw that most Naxalites surrendered to join the mainstream of development…,” she added.