The Centre’s deadline to end Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh entered its decisive phase on Sunday as Amit Shah chaired a high-level closed-door security review meeting in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. With barely seven weeks remaining before the March 31, 2026 cut off, officials described the deliberations as a critical strategic exercise aimed at consolidating recent gains and addressing remaining challenges in Maoist affected districts.
The meeting brought together Vishnu Deo Sai, Directors General of Police from Left Wing Extremism hit states, Additional Chief Secretaries (Home), and senior officials from central and state security agencies. Intelligence assessments, operational progress, force deployment patterns and inter state coordination mechanisms were reviewed in detail.
Officials said the discussions were focused on sustaining pressure in residual Maoist pockets, disrupting financial and logistical networks, and ensuring seamless coordination across state boundaries. The review is being seen as the final strategic consolidation before the Centre’s stated objective of eliminating Maoist influence in Chhattisgarh by March 31.
The deadline was earlier set by the Union Home Minister, following which security forces intensified multi agency operations across Bastar and adjoining forest regions. According to officials, sustained pressure, improved intelligence sharing and the expansion of forward security camps have significantly curtailed Maoist mobility and operational capacity.
After the meeting, Shah said Chhattisgarh had undergone a decisive transformation. In a post on social media platform X, he noted that a state once identified with Maoist violence was now emerging as a symbol of development under the BJP’s “double engine” government. He highlighted the growing engagement of youth in sports, forensic sciences and technical education, while preserving cultural traditions, and said development works were also reviewed during the Raipur meeting.
Chief Minister Sai described the security review as a strong indicator of decisive progress. He said a combination of focused security strategy, improved infrastructure, action against Maoist funding networks and an effective surrender policy was delivering visible results not only in Chhattisgarh but across other affected states. He reiterated the government’s resolve to meet the March 31 deadline under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of the Union Home Minister.
At the same time, surrender and rehabilitation initiatives under the state’s policy framework have gained momentum. Officials noted that the dual approach, firm enforcement alongside reintegration, remains central to the final phase of the campaign.
State Home Minister Vijay Sharma said the Raipur meeting was likely the last comprehensive strategic review before the deadline. He added that deliberations also extended to post conflict stabilisation and development planning in reclaimed areas.
During his visit, Shah is also scheduled to attend the Bastar Pandum cultural festival on Sunday, an event widely seen as reflecting Bastar’s cultural resurgence alongside the state’s parallel emphasis on development.
Security experts have indicated that decisions taken at the Raipur meeting will guide coordinated action in the coming weeks, as the Centre and the state attempt to translate the deadline into durable peace, marking what could be the closing phase of a conflict that has shaped Chhattisgarh’s internal security landscape for decades.