Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday reiterated the Modi government’s uncompromising stance against Naxalism, declaring that the government will not rest until every Naxalite either surrenders, is apprehended, or eliminated.

Stressing the deadline of March 31, 2026, by which the government is determined to completely eradicate the Naxal menace, Shah underscored that the campaign against insurgency had entered a decisive and irreversible phase.

His comments came while commending the remarkable success of the recently conducted Operation Black Forest in Chhattisgarh, where forces managed to dismantle one of the largest and most strategically important Naxal bases located on Karregutta hill.

The operation, executed under extremely challenging circumstances, involved the Chhattisgarh Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the elite CoBRA units, whose coordinated bravery and tactical precision paved the way for the elimination of a crucial Naxal stronghold.

Shah pointed out that Naxals have historically inflicted severe damage on some of India’s most underdeveloped regions, often sabotaging critical infrastructure, blocking government welfare initiatives, and preventing basic services such as schools and hospitals from functioning. According to the Home Minister, such destructive activities kept millions trapped in a cycle of poverty and backwardness.

However, he highlighted that sustained anti-Naxal operations over the past decade have marked a major turning point, bringing what he described as a "new sunrise" to the lives of nearly 6.5 crore residents across the vast stretch of central and eastern India, extending geographically from Pashupatinath in the north to Tirupati in the south. Shah called this progress a testimony to the government’s unwavering political and administrative will, as well as the sacrifices made by security forces on the ground.

In commending Operation Black Forest, Shah emphasized its historic significance, stating that the valour and courage displayed by security personnel will stand as a golden chapter in India’s anti-Naxal campaign.

Operating at high altitudes, in extreme heat, and under near-constant threat from landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the forces maintained their morale and discipline to accomplish a mission that neutralized a critical supply dump and disrupted the material support chain of Maoist units.

This success, according to Shah, did not merely represent a tactical victory but struck at the very foundation of the Naxal insurgency in the region, depriving militants of resources essential for sustaining their prolonged guerrilla operations.

At the same time, Shah highlighted the government’s commitment to the welfare of security personnel who risk their lives in such hazardous conditions. He noted that special steps are being taken to ensure medical support, rehabilitation, and improved quality of life for those injured in anti-Naxal operations. 

The Home Minister emphasized that the government’s focus is not just on eliminating armed insurgency but also on ensuring that regions previously under Naxal influence receive the benefits of development, welfare schemes, and the integration into mainstream governance and economic progress.

Reaffirming the Modi government’s resolve, Shah stressed that India today stands at the threshold of becoming Naxal-free, with the elimination or surrender of remaining insurgent factions now only a matter of time.

He credited the unity and sacrifice of security personnel for building confidence in the people of Naxal-affected regions, enabling development and governance to make steady inroads. With the combined political will, security operations, and people’s participation, the government remains firmly on track to realize its target of complete eradication of Naxalism by March 31, 2026, ushering in an era of peace, development, and security in some of India’s most vulnerable districts.

Based On A PTI Report