'I Can Proudly Say India Has Now Become Naxal-Free': Amit Shah In Bastar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday met families of martyrs, CAPFs personnel and victims of Naxal violence in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh and said that India has now become free from Naxalism.

Addressing the gathering, Shah said Bastar is set to emerge as the most developed region among all the tribal belts of the country over the next five years.

“For 6 decades, the country had suffered through a nightmare marked by bloodshed, underdevelopment, and a bleak future for the youth in Naxal-affected regions. Even people living in non-Naxal-affected states remained deeply concerned about the suffering in these areas,” he said.

The Home Minister expressed happiness that a goal which once seemed impossible within a lifetime had been achieved by the brave

security forces within just three to four years

Shah stated that the three dates—January 21, 2024; August 24, 2024; and March 31, 2026—will be written in golden letters in the history of Naxal eradication. “Following the formation of our government in Chhattisgarh, the first meeting regarding Naxalism was held on January 21, 2024; a pledge to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026, was taken on August 24, 2024; and the fulfillment of this pledge occurred on March 31, 2026—these three dates will be etched in golden letters in the history of the ‘Naxal-Free India’ campaign. By the grace of Goddess Danteshwari, our goal of making Bastar Naxal-free has finally been realized today, March 31, 2026,” he added.

Shah said the success of the anti-Naxal operations was largely due to the courage and dedication of DRG personnel and CoBRA commandos. He credited the combined efforts of CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, Chhattisgarh Police, DRG, STF, Bastar Fighters, and police forces from various states for achieving victory over Naxalism.

Paying tribute to all CAPF personnel, Home Minister Shah said that during Operation Black Forest, jawans did not worry about supplies despite the 45-degree temperature and advanced up the hills. “Thousands of mines had been planted there, yet the forces successfully cleared Maoist camps from these difficult terrains. Without Operation Black Forest and the evacuation of that hilltop stronghold, a Naxal-free Bastar would not have been possible. Once the Maoists were forced to descend from the hills, they began surrendering, encounters intensified, and many Maoists were neutralised. During this campaign, many personnel lost their limbs, suffered dehydration, and endured immense hardships. Whether it was Operation Black Forest, Operation Prahar, Operation Octopus, or Operation Double Bull, these operations cleared vast areas stretching from Jharkhand and Bihar to Bastar and Telangana, while also paving the way for development in the region,” said Shah, while crediting the CAPF personnel entirely for the emergence of a peaceful and progressive Bastar.

Shah said that no innocent tribal will be harmed anymore, schools will remain open, electricity will not be disrupted, and farmers will receive full benefits directly in their bank accounts. He said that initiatives like Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum aim to revive the region’s cultural heritage.