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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reiterated his commitment that the country would be free of naxalism by March 31, 2026. Speaking at Agenda Aaj Tak, his first media interaction after Lok Sabha elections, Shah said that the issue of naxalism had obstructed development in several parts of the country for years.
Highlighting the government’s efforts, he noted that most states once influenced by naxal activities, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, were now free of such influence.
“Only two districts in Chhattisgarh remain under naxal influence,” Shah said. He added that the BJP’s recent electoral victory in Chhattisgarh would bolster anti-naxal efforts.
Shah is set to visit a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in a naxal-affected region in Chhattisgarh, where he will spend the night.
When asked about the significance of his visit, he said, “This is not the first time I am visiting such camps. Now, after the BJP formed the government, our coordination has improved.” He attributed the progress against naxalism to these efforts, saying, “Within one year, more than 900 people have been arrested, over 600 have surrendered, and nearly 300 were killed during encounters.”
Marking the first anniversary of the BJP government in the region, Shah claimed that nearly 70 per cent of naxal activities had been eliminated.
He contrasted the BJP’s approach with that of the previous Congress government, saying, “For us, votebank politics is not as important as national security and the development of tribal communities.”
