Union HM Amit Shah, during a visit to Chhattisgarh, vowed to end Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India by March 31, 2026. He praised security forces and highlighted ongoing development in former Maoist-affected areas, promising a future free from violence and rooted in opportunity and hope.
In a powerful and emotionally charged address to security personnel, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaffirmed the Central Government’s firm commitment to eliminating Left Wing Extremism (LWE) from Indian soil by March 31, 2026. Speaking in Nava Raipur on Monday during an interaction with security forces, Shah praised the extraordinary efforts and sacrifices made by the nation’s armed units in their ongoing battle against Naxalism — one of India’s most enduring internal security challenges.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, the Union Home Secretary, and senior officials from the Intelligence Bureau and Border Security Force (BSF). Also present were the brave personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Chhattisgarh Police, the elite Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), Bastar Fighters, and the District Reserve Guard (DRG).
During his two-day visit to Chhattisgarh, Shah highlighted the strategic and determined efforts made by these security forces to dismantle Maoist strongholds across the state. He noted that these forces have operated in some of the most inhospitable terrains — dense forests and remote tribal villages — often at great personal risk. “Their bravery is such that even the most seasoned military forces across the world have taken notice,” Shah said, drawing applause from the gathering.
In his address, Shah paid homage to the countless lives lost in the decades-long insurgency, noting that nearly 40,000 people had either died or been permanently impacted over the past 35 years due to LWE-related violence. He said this conflict had not only claimed lives but also stripped entire regions — particularly tribal communities — of access to food, clean water, electricity, healthcare, and education. Industrial development was stymied, and large swathes of India remained cut off from the mainstream economy and governance.
Yet, Shah’s message was not one of despair but of transformation. He pointed to a clear turning point in the battle against LWE: villages once paralyzed by terror now seeing progress — lights being switched on, schools being built, and children walking into classrooms instead of being lured into violence. He poignantly described this moment as the “true measure of victory” — a pencil replacing a gun in a child’s hand.
Sharing his reflections on X (formerly Twitter), Shah wrote, “Among all my engagements, the moments I cherish the most are those spent with our security personnel. Their dedication, sacrifice, and love for the nation command the respect and admiration of every citizen. Today, in Chhattisgarh, I had the privilege of meeting the courageous men and women of the Central Security Forces, Chhattisgarh Police, Bastar Fighters, and the District Reserve Guard. When the story of India’s triumph over Naxalism is written, the commitment and bravery of these forces will be remembered as a chapter etched in golden letters.”
In a significant symbolic act, Shah also released a book titled ‘Lior Oyna’, which chronicles the atrocities committed by Maoists against tribal populations and the ongoing efforts to free Bastar from the grip of insurgent violence. He remarked that the book serves both as a tribute to the resilience of innocent lives caught in the conflict and as a rebuttal to those who glorify extremism under the pretense of human rights advocacy.
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Looking ahead, Shah expressed full confidence that the campaign against LWE is entering its final phase. With sustained operations and development-focused governance, he projected that the menace would be fully eradicated by the deadline of March 31, 2026.
The speech marked more than just a review of security strategy; it was a moment of national reckoning — acknowledging the cost of conflict while envisioning a future of peace, development, and unity for regions once scarred by extremism.
