Naxalism Confined to Just 6 Districts: Amit Shah Vows to Eradicate Left-Wing Terrorism by March 2026

In a significant milestone for India and the Modi government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the number of districts impacted by left-wing extremism, or Naxalism, has been reduced from 12 to 6. Highlighting this "major progress," Minister Shah also asserted that India will be free from Naxal-Maoist terrorism within a year.

Naxal-Affected Districts Came Down From 12 To 6, Says Amit Shah | Daily Excelsior

Posting on X, Home Minister Amit Shah stated, “Taking a giant stride towards building a Naxal-free Bharat, today our nation achieved a new milestone by significantly reducing the number of districts most affected by left-wing extremism to just 6 from 12. The Modi government is building a Sashakt, Surakshit and Samriddh Bharat with a ruthless approach to Naxalism and relentless efforts for all-pervasive development. Bharat is determined to uproot Naxalism for good by 31st March 2026.”

Modi Government's Tough Stand on Left-Wing Extremism: Naxal-Affected Areas Drop from 106 in 2015 to 18 in 2025

This marks a significant milestone, showcasing the Central Government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the threat of Naxalism. It is worth noting that in 2015, approximately 106 districts across 10 states were classified as Naxal-affected. By 2024, this number had reduced to 38, and later to just 18. Among these, 12 districts were considered the most severely affected, but this figure has now dropped further to only 6.

These six "most affected districts" are Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.

Likewise, the count of "districts of concern" has decreased from 9 to 6. These include Alluri Sitarama Raju in Andhra Pradesh, Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Malkangiri in Odisha, and Bhadradri-Kothagudem in Telangana.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, “Due to relentless efforts against Naxalism, the number of Other LWE-affected Districts has also declined from 17 to 6.” These six districts are Dantewada, Gariaband, and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki in Chhattisgarh, Latehar in Jharkhand, Nuapada in Odisha, and Mulugu in Telangana.

To support development in these regions, the Government of India provides financial aid under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme—Rs. 30 crore for the most affected districts and Rs. 10 crore for districts of concern—to bridge gaps in public infrastructure. Additionally, specific projects are implemented based on local needs.

The remarkable improvement in the LWE landscape over the past year can be attributed to the establishment of new security camps in insurgency-prone areas, along with development-focused initiatives such as expanding road networks, enhancing transport services, and ensuring access to water, electricity, and other essential welfare schemes.

From strengthening security infrastructure in former Maoist strongholds—by deploying security camps to curb Naxalite activities and facilitate development—to launching initiatives like the Bastar Olympics and housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the central government and security forces are making dedicated efforts to reintegrate LWE-affected communities and dismantle the Maoist influence.

Intensified Crackdown on Left-Wing Terrorism Leads to Mass Naxalite Surrenders; Centre Focuses on Reintegration

A team of security personnel recovered the body of a female Naxalite, who carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh, along with an INSAS rifle, ammunition, and essential supplies from an encounter site in Dantewada on March 31, 2025.

The operation, led by security forces under the DRG, was part of an anti-Maoist mission in the villages of Nelgoda, Akeli, and Belnar, located in the Geedam police station area of Dantewada district and the Bhairamgarh police station area near the Bijapur border. The woman, identified as Renuka alias Banu alias Chaite alias Saraswati, a resident of Kadvendi district, Warangal, was fatally shot during the exchange of fire at the encounter site.

Notably, on March 30th, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the surrender of 50 Naxalites in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. He assured that they would be rehabilitated and reintegrated into mainstream society. “It is a matter of great joy that 50 Naxalites in Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) surrendered, abandoning the path of violence. I welcome those who leave violence and weapons and join the mainstream of development. Modi ji’s policy is clear that any Naxalite who leaves weapons and adopts the path of development will be rehabilitated and connected to the mainstream,” Amit Shah posted on X.

A few days ago, security forces neutralized 16 Naxals and seized a significant stockpile of arms and ammunition in what police described as "the biggest encounter" in the Kerlapal area of Sukma district. Sukma Superintendent of Police, Kiran Chavan, confirmed the recovery of 16 Naxal bodies from the scene and stated, “Two of our jawans sustained injuries during the operation and are being evacuated for medical attention.” He stated that security forces also recovered a substantial stockpile of advanced weaponry, including AK-47 rifles, Self-Loading Rifles (SLRs), and INSAS rifles, from the area.

In March 2025, 15 Naxalites surrendered to the Dantewada police. Authorities confirmed that all 15 individuals would receive benefits under the state government's rehabilitation policy. Similarly, last month in Sukma, nine Naxals laid down their arms in the presence of Superintendent of Police Kiran Gangaram Chavan. The success of security forces and the Central government in facilitating surrenders from Naxalites seeking reintegration into society, as well as eliminating hardcore militants—especially in Sukma, one of the worst-affected districts in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region—is a significant achievement given the area's history of Naxal violence.

In addition, security personnel neutralized 30 Naxalites in separate operations in the Chhattisgarh districts of Bijapur and Kanker. Earlier reports by OpIndia indicated that on March 17, at least 19 Naxalites surrendered in the Bijapur area, with nine of them carrying cash rewards totaling ₹28 lakh.

Last month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured Parliament that Naxalism would be eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026. He highlighted that between 2004 and 2014, there were 16,463 violent incidents, but in the past decade, this number has declined by 53%. He further noted that security personnel fatalities had decreased from 1,851 between 2004 and 2014 to 509 in the last ten years, marking a 73% reduction. Civilian deaths dropped from 4,766 to 1,495, reflecting a 70% decline.

The minister also emphasized the government's development initiatives in Naxal-affected areas, stating that from 2014 to 2024, 11,503 kilometers of highways and 20,000 kilometers of rural roads were built. Additionally, 2,343 mobile towers were installed in the first phase, followed by 2,545 more in the second phase, with work ongoing to install 4,000 additional towers, ensuring full mobile connectivity across affected regions by December 1.

In February, security forces eliminated four Naxals in an encounter in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district. The slain militants, all women, were found in possession of three rifles: an INSAS, a self-loading rifle, and a .303 rifle. On February 9, a meticulously planned intelligence-driven operation in Bijapur, approximately 400 kilometers south of Raipur, resulted in the elimination of 31 Maoists, including 11 women, marking one of the largest strikes against Naxalism. Earlier, on February 1, security forces in Bijapur conducted another anti-Naxal operation, killing eight Maoists and recovering weapons such as a Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL) and an INSAS rifle.

The previous month also saw significant counter-Naxal efforts. On January 31, ten Naxalites—five of whom had a collective bounty of ₹6 lakh—surrendered in Bijapur. On January 21, 16 Maoists were neutralized in Gariaband, with 12 of them carrying rewards exceeding ₹3 crore. Additional encounters occurred on January 12, when security forces killed five Naxalites in Bijapur's Madded area, and on January 16, when a clash in Bijapur resulted in 12 more Naxal fatalities. On January 29, security forces clashed with CPI (Maoist) militants in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, eliminating two insurgents. Meanwhile, in Karnataka, six Maoists surrendered before Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on January 9.

On March 26, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reported that over 325 Naxalites had been eliminated, and more than 2,000 had either surrendered or been arrested within just one and a half months. These numbers underscore the rapid progress in countering Naxal activities. In October 2024, the Home Ministry disclosed that 94 Maoists were killed in the preceding nine months, with over 800 arrested and 738 surrendering.

In an earlier interview with India Today, Home Minister Amit Shah outlined the Modi government’s four-pronged strategy to replace weapons and violence with development and trust in the so-called Red Corridor, which stretches from Pashupatinath in Nepal to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. This strategy involves neutralizing Naxal leadership, cutting off their funding, fostering development in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas, and encouraging surrenders.

The effective implementation of this multi-faceted approach has yielded tangible results, although the journey has not been without challenges and sacrifices. With continued government and security force efforts, Naxalism is expected to be completely eradicated by March 31, 2026. A Naxal-free India will unlock avenues for development, education, employment, and trade, providing a peaceful and dignified life for both local residents and former Naxalites, free from terrorism and fear.

(This Article was originally published by OpIndia)