India to be free from Naxalism by March 2026: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said there will be no ceasefire with the Naxalites, asserting that those who wish to surrender must lay down their arms, after which the police will not fire a single shot and will ensure their rehabilitation.

Addressing the valedictory session of ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat’, Shah said that Operation Black Forest exposed the “false sympathy” of Naxal supporters. He noted that during the operation, several parties wrote letters urging the government to stop the campaign, thereby revealing their true face.

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Shah emphasized that the government’s policy is to extend a red-carpet welcome to those willing to surrender, but if anyone picks up arms to kill innocent tribals, it becomes the government’s duty to protect them and confront the armed Naxalites.

Rejecting the notion that underdevelopment is the root cause of Left-Wing Extremism, Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched numerous schemes for 60 crore poor people.

“But in Naxal-affected areas, who prevents these schemes from reaching the people?” he asked. “If schools have not reached Sukma or Bijapur, who is responsible? Why have roads not been built in Left-Wing dominated areas? It is because the Naxalites killed the contractors.”

He said that neither Naxalite supporters nor their sympathizers want real development for tribals, and their only aim is to preserve an ideology rejected worldwide.

Shah further asserted that India will be free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026, but cautioned that the fight would not end until Indian society fully recognizes those who provide ideological, legal, and financial support to extremism.

Paying tribute to those who lost their lives or endured hardships due to Left-Wing violence since the 1960s, Shah recalled that when Prime Minister Modi took office, three major hotspots—Jammu & Kashmir, the Northeast, and the Left-Wing Corridor—posed serious challenges to India’s internal security.

For four to five decades, thousands had lost their lives, property was destroyed, and significant budgetary resources meant for the poor were diverted to managing these conflicts.

According to the Home Minister, the Modi government adopted a clear and long-term strategy to address these challenges. Between 2014 and 2024, 12,000 km of roads were built in Left-Wing Extremism–affected states, budgets were approved for 17,500 roads, and 5,000 mobile towers were installed at a cost of ₹6,300 crore.

Additionally, 1,060 bank branches have been opened, 937 ATMs installed, 37,850 banking correspondents appointed, 5,899 post offices opened, 850 schools established, and 186 modern health centers set up.

He added that under the Niyad Nellanar scheme, the Chhattisgarh government is facilitating Ayushman Bharat cards, Aadhaar cards, voter cards, and the construction of schools, ration shops, and Anganwadi centers.