In a landmark declaration before the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that India is now effectively free of Naxalism.

This significant development follows years of intensive security operations and targeted socio-economic interventions.

The Minister confirmed that the central leadership of the movement, specifically its Politburo and overarching organisational structures, has been systematically dismantled, leaving the insurgency without its traditional command-and-control framework.

The announcement marks a symbolic end to what was once described as the nation’s greatest internal security threat. At its height, the so-called Red Corridor spanned twelve states, creating a parallel system of governance that bypassed the rule of law.

According to official figures, the conflict claimed approximately 20,000 lives over the decades, including 5,000 security personnel, and left nearly 120 million people living in states of extreme deprivation.

Bastar, long considered the impenetrable heartland of the Maoist movement, has reportedly seen the most dramatic shift. The Home Minister noted that Naxalism has been almost entirely wiped out from this stronghold. He attributed this turnaround to the combined efforts of the security forces and the local tribal communities, who have increasingly distanced themselves from the insurgent ideology in favour of state-led development.

Addressing the historical context of the conflict, the Home Minister criticised previous administrations for failing to integrate tribal regions into the national economy. He argued that while the problem was acknowledged in the past, it was never decisively tackled.

The current strategy, he claimed, prioritises providing essential services such as housing, clean drinking water, schools, and banking access to regions that were neglected for three-quarters of a century.

The operational success of the government’s policy was backed by specific data shared with the House. Reports indicate that 4,839 insurgents have surrendered to authorities, while 2,218 have been incarcerated.

For those who chose to continue armed resistance, the response was uncompromising; 706 individuals were killed in various encounters. The government’s stance remains firm: dialogue is reserved exclusively for those who relinquish their weapons.

This transition signals a shift from a security-centric approach to one focused on long-term regional progress. The lifting of the "shadow of red terror" is expected to accelerate infrastructure projects and social welfare schemes in formerly volatile zones.

As the central structure of the Naxalite movement collapses, the government maintains that the path is now clear for the total integration and development of India’s tribal heartlands.

PTI