New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 15 lauded the recent wave of surrenders by Maoist leaders, describing it as a “historic milestone” in the government’s ongoing efforts to eradicate Naxalism completely.
Highlighting the steady decline in Naxal-affected regions, Shah said that the number of the most affected districts had dropped from six to three, while the total number of affected districts had fallen to 11 from 18.
“Historic milestone in eliminating Naxalism. Today, the number of most affected districts has reduced from 6 to just 3, and the number of affected districts has increased to 11 from 18,” Amit Shah wrote on ‘X’.
The Home Minister said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a terror-free India, the government’s twin strategy of relentless counter-insurgency operations and people-oriented development initiatives has significantly curtailed the influence and reach of Left-Wing Extremists.
“Under Modi Ji’s vision for a terror-free India, tireless counter-insurgency operations and people-centric development are shrinking the space of the left-wing extremists, leaving no place for them to hide. By March 31, 2026, India will be free from the menace of Naxalism,” he said.
50 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker
Earlier in the day, in a major development, 50 cadres of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), including 39 women, surrendered before security forces at the Kamtera camp of the Border Security Force’s (BSF) 40th Battalion in Koyalibeda, Kanker district in Chhattisgarh, according to security forces.
The surrender took place under the leadership of senior Maoist leaders Rajman Mandavi and Raju Salam, both members of the South Zonal Committee (SZCM).
The surrendered cadres reportedly handed over 39 weapons, including 7 AK-47 rifles, 2 SLRs, 4 INSAS rifles, 1 INSAS LMG, and 1 Sten gun.
The first tranche of Maoists has been reported from the north of Maad, whereas the next tranche is expected to reach the south of Maad by Thursday morning in the Bhairamgarh area of Bijapur district.
This development comes amid sustained anti-Maoist operations spearheaded by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and state governments across the country.
With the latest surrender of Maoists in Kanker, the total number of Naxals laying down arms has surpassed the figure of 130 in the last two days.
Notably, CPI [Maoist] politburo member Bhupati alias Sonu had also surrender along with 60 other Maoists before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on October 15. Bhupati’s surrender followed a wave of surrender by Maoists in Chhattisgarh with 27 Naxals laying down arms in Sukma on the same day.
[With inputs from agencies]
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