Naxalism on last breath: amit shah

metro india news  I amaravati

In a forceful and politically charged address in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that Left-Wing Extremism is in its last breath, asserting that the decades-long Maoist insurgency has been decisively weakened under the leadership of Narendra Modi.

Leading the government’s response during a debate on Maoist violence, Shah proclaimed that the shadow of Red Terror has lifted from Bastar, once considered the epicentre of Naxal activity. “Naxalism in the country is now on the verge of extinction. Bastar, which was once synonymous with violence, is now firmly on the path of development,” he told the House.

In his speech, Shah credited security forces, state police units, and tribal communities for a historic turnaround. He paid tribute to thousands of security personnel and civilians who lost their lives in the long-running conflict, calling their sacrifices the foundation of the present success.

At the same time, the Home Minister launched a scathing attack on the opposition, particularly the Congress, accusing it of failing to bring development to tribal regions during its tenure. “Those who claimed to fight for justice allowed these areas to remain deprived for decades. Today, development has reached every village, schools, ration shops, hospitals, Aadhaar, food security, this is the real answer to extremism,” he asserted.

Shah rejected any ideological justification for armed insurgency, stating unequivocally that violence has no place in a constitutional democracy. “The remedy for injustice lies within the Constitution. Taking up arms while rejecting the system will not be tolerated. This is the Modi government, anyone who takes up weapons will be held accountable,” he warned.

Detailing the government’s “Naxal-Mukt Bharat” strategy, Amit Shah highlighted a calibrated mix of security operations and rehabilitation measures. Under the surrender policy, senior Maoist cadres are offered ₹5 lakh, while lower-rung members receive Rs 2.5 lakh, along with a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 for skill development and reintegration into society. The Centre has set an ambitious deadline of March 31, 2026, to eliminate Naxalism entirely from the country.

Shah emphasized that sustained infrastructure expansion and welfare delivery in remote tribal belts have eroded the support base of extremist groups. “Development is the most powerful antidote to extremism,” he said, underscoring the government’s twin approach of force and welfare. 

Senior Maoist leader Somanna, nine others surrender in AP

In a big breakthrough for anti-Maoist operations, nine insurgents, including senior leader C. Narayana Rao, surrendered before Andhra Pradesh Police, reinforcing claims that Left-Wing Extremism has effectively collapsed in the state.

C Narayana Rao, also known as Somanna, was a key figure in the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) Special Zone Committee and had spent over three decades in the Maoist movement. His surrender marks a critical blow to the residual Maoist network in the region.

Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta declared that “LWE has come to an end in Andhra Pradesh,” aligning with the Centre’s national deadline. 

Rao, who joined the movement in 1990, rose through the ranks to become a Central Committee Member and was involved in several high-profile killings, including the 2018 murder of MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao.

Police officials attributed the surrenders to sustained intelligence-based operations, weakening ideological appeal, and attractive rehabilitation packages. Over the past two years, Andhra Pradesh has recorded 18 encounters, 81 arrests, and 106 surrenders, reflecting an aggressive and coordinated counter-insurgency strategy led by elite units such as the Greyhounds and Special Intelligence Branch.

Security agencies noted that Maoist presence in the state has now reduced to zero active cadre, which would mark a decisive end to insurgency in a region once deeply affected by extremist violence.