New Delhi: In a significant development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 16 announced that Abujhmad, an erstwhile bastion of Maoists along with entire North Bastar of Chhattisgarh have been declared free from Naxal terror.
The announcement comes after 170 Maoists surrendered before the authorities in Chhattisgarh on October 16, marking a significant moment in the ongoing campaign against Naxals.
As per reports, a Central Committee member was also among those who laid down arms on Thursday. The surrender included a significant cache of sophisticated weapons such as the AK-47, SLR, INSAS and carbines.
With inclusion on Thursday, a total of 258 Maoists including a top politburo member have surrendered before officials in the last two days in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
Union Home Minister Shah on Thursday hailed the decision of the Naxalites, saying it attests to the fact that Naxalism is “breathing its last” due to the relentless efforts of the Narendra Modi-led government.
In a post on X, Shah said, “A landmark day in our battle against Naxalism. Today, 170 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh. Yesterday 27 had laid down their arms in the state. In Maharashtra, 61 returned to the mainstream, yesterday. In total, 258 battle-hardened left-wing extremists have abjured violence in the last two days. I applaud their decision to renounce violence, reposing their trust in the Constitution of India.”
A landmark day in our battle against Naxalism.
Today, 170 Naxalites have surrendered in Chhattisgarh. Yesterday 27 had laid down their arms in the state. In Maharashtra, 61 returned to the mainstream, yesterday. In total, 258 battle-hardened left-wing extremists have abjured…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 16, 2025
He added that “It attests to the fact that Naxalism is breathing its last due to the relentless efforts of the PM @NarendraModi led government to end the menace. Our policy is clear: those who want to surrender are welcome, and those who continue to wield the gun will meet the wrath of our forces. I appeal again to those who are still on the path of Naxalism to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream, We are committed to uprooting Naxalism before 31st March 2026..”
Shah emphasised that “Those who want to surrender are welcome, and those who continue to wield the gun will meet the wrath of our forces.” He appealed to those still involved in Naxalism to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream.
The Home Minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to uprooting Naxalism before March 31, 2026. “It is a matter of immense pleasure that Abujhmaad and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh that were once terror bases, have today been declared as free from Naxal terror. Now a trace of Naxalism exists in South Bastar, which will be wiped out soon by our security forces,” he said in a post on X.
According to Shah, since January 2024, after the BJP government was formed in Chhattisgarh, 2,100 Naxalites have surrendered, 1,785 have been arrested, and 477 have been eliminated. These numbers, Shah said, “mirror our fierce resolve to decimate Naxalism before the 31st of March 2026.”
It is a matter of immense pleasure that Abujhmaad and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh that were once terror bases, have today been declared as free from Naxal terror.
Now a trace of Naxalism exists in South Bastar, which will be wiped out soon by our security forces.
Since January…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 16, 2025
On Wednesday, in a historic breakthrough for Maharashtra’s fight against left-wing extremism, Naxal Commander Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupati alias Sonu alias Abhay surrendered before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Gadchiroli Police Headquarters. Along with Bhupati, nearly 60 Naxalites laid down their arms, marking one of the largest surrenders in the state’s history. Bhupati had placed a precondition that he would surrender only in the presence of the Chief Minister.
Lauding the wave of surrenders by Maoists, Home Minister Shah described the development 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.
(With inputs from ANI)
