Jashpur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on April 25 reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling Naxalism (Maoism) in the state. While keeping the door open for peace talks with Maoists, Sai emphasised that those who refuse to abandon violence will face a strong response from the government.
Speaking on the ongoing operations against the Maoist in the state, the Chief Minister said, “As far as peace talks are concerned, ever since we came to power, we have kept the door open for them (Naxalites). They have been told repeatedly that you people should leave this language of bullets and violence and join development and come into the mainstream.”
Sai highlighted that many of the extremists have already joined the mainstream, embracing development and leaving behind the path of violence. However, for those who continue to resort to guns and violence, the government is prepared to take decisive action.
“Many people have also come, but those who will not agree now, those who understand the language of guns or violence, the government is ready to deal with them accordingly,” he said.
Sai cited Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s resolve to eradicate the Maoist menace from the country by March 31, 2026. Expressing full confidence in achieving this goal, Sai assured that the government will work tirelessly to ensure peace and development in the region.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also resolved that by March 31, 2026, Naxalism will be eradicated from the entire country and I am fully confident that this will be accomplished,” he added.
#WATCH | Jashpur: On anti-naxal operation, Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai says, "As far as peace talks are concerned, ever since we came to power, we have kept the door open for them (Naxalites). They have been told repeatedly that you people should leave this language of bullets… pic.twitter.com/QeRr2NB3NY
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2025
Sai remarks come amidst the ongoing mega offensive launched by the security forces in insurgency-hit Bijapur involving around 10,000 security personnel. According to the preliminary report, the campaign has been launched near the top of Karegutta Hill and nearby dense forest areas.
According to inputs, the said campaign was launched following precise intelligence inputs about the presence of top Maoist leaders, including most wanted Maoist commanders like Hidma, Damodar, Deva, and others.
Around 10,000 security personnel from Chhattisgarh’s DRG, Bastar Fighter, STF, Cobra, CRPF, Greyhound from Telangana and Maharashtra’s C-60 are participating in the biggest ever anti-Maoist operation launched till date.
The operation is expected to deal a major blow to the military strength of the CPI (Maoists) PLGA Battalion-1. Additionally, the Maoists’ think tank–Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee and Telangana State Committee are also under target.
Maoists issue press note, urge government to halt operations
The major operation launched in the core insurgency zone has panicked the Maoist’s top brass who in turn has issued a press note, urging the government to immediately halt the ongoing offensive.
In the note issued by the North-West Sub Zonal Bureau of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), the spokesperson of the banned group has emphasised on a peaceful solution, urging the government to halt the ongoing counter-insurgency operations by a month.
In a press note issued on April 25, the extremists have claimed that the party (CPI Maoist) is ready for the talks, underscoring that its Central Committee (CC) had also issued a letter in this regard recently. It must be noted here that the dreaded group in a letter issued earlier had proposed for peace talks with pre-conditions, ranging from removal of security camps to halt on counter-insurgency operations in Bastar.
The state’s Deputy CM Vijay Sharma on the other hand had however clarified that while the government is open for talks with any small or large groups of Maoists who are ready to lay down weapons and join the mainstream, it will not entertain any pre-conditions for the proposed peace talks.
Notably after the formation of the incumbent BJP government in the state, security forces have gunned down 365 cadres in separate encounters and arrested 1382 Maoists. Moreover, impressed by the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government, 2306 cadres have quit the red movement to join the mainstream of society. So far in 2025, 144 naxals have been neutralised, 367 arrested, and 476 surrendered.
(With inputs from ANI)
