Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on May 21 reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to ending Naxalism (Maoism) by March 31, 2026, as pledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, “Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have pledged to bring an end to Maoism by 31 March 2026. An operation is currently underway in the Narayanpur-Abujmarh area. 27 naxals have been killed. Many of those killed have a bounty on them. One big name, a General Secretary, Basavaraju Rao, has also been killed by our jawans.”
His comments follow the killing of 27 Naxals, including top CPI-Maoist leader and General Secretary Basavaraju, in an operation in the Narayanpur-Abujmarh region.
PM, Union Home Minister Shah hails security forces
Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the efforts of Bharat’s security forces after 27 Maoists, including top CPI-Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, were killed in a major operation in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people.”
Proud of our forces for this remarkable success. Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people. https://t.co/XlPku5dtnZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 21, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah too lauded the forces for the success in the operation against the Maoists.
In a post on X, he said this is the first time in three decades of India’s battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by the security forces.
Noting that Basavaraju was the backbone of the Naxal movement, Amit Shah said 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, after the completion of Operation Black Forest.
Union Minister Shah said the Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before March 31 next year.
“A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralised 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the backbone of the Naxal movement,” he said in a post on X.
A landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism. Today, in an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have neutralized 27 dreaded Maoists, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the general secretary of CPI-Maoist, topmost leader, and the…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 21, 2025
“This is the first time in three decades of Bharat’s battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by our forces. I applaud our brave security forces and agencies for this major breakthrough. Also glad to share that after the completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested and 84 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. The Modi government is resolved to eliminate Naxalism before the March 31. 2026,” he added.
The operation at Narayanpur follows a major campaign launched by the forces at Karregutta hills in Bijapur district, resulting in elimination of 31 Maoists.
