Prime Minister Narendra Modi
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that Maoist violence in India is in its final phase, attributing the decline of Maoism to a combination of security operations and sustained development efforts in tribal and remote regions over the past 12 years.
Addressing the Republic Summit 2026, Modi said the government’s approach was guided by the principle of “Nation First” and focused on bringing infrastructure, connectivity, banking services and welfare schemes to areas that had long remained under the influence of Maoist groups.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge inherited by his government, Modi said that between 2004 and 2014, more than 17,000 incidents of Maoist violence were reported across the country, resulting in nearly 7,000 deaths. He alleged that Maoist groups had prevented development activities from reaching tribal communities and created an atmosphere where government services could not function effectively.
According to the Prime Minister, the government adopted a two-pronged strategy after 2014, strengthening security measures while simultaneously addressing the developmental needs of affected populations. He said more than 12,000 kilometres of roads were constructed in Maoist-affected areas despite repeated attacks on construction equipment and threats to workers.
PM Modi also highlighted improvements in communication and financial inclusion, stating that over 9,500 mobile towers had been installed and connectivity extended to nearly 45,000 villages. In addition, more than 1,800 bank branches, around 75,000 banking correspondents and over 6,000 post offices were established in districts affected by Maoist violence.
Emphasising that the government’s efforts went beyond security operations, Modi said welfare initiatives helped build trust among local communities. He cited instances where basic government benefits such as ration cards reached families living in regions previously dominated by Maoist influence.
The Prime Minister pointed to changing social conditions in areas such as Bastar, where sporting events are now drawing large participation from local youth. He said the Bastar Olympics, which attracted more than 1.5 lakh participants in its first edition and nearly four lakh in its second edition, symbolised the transformation of a region once associated with violence.
PM Modi argued that the decline of Maoist violence demonstrates how development, governance and public participation can work together to address long-standing security challenges. He maintained that the government’s efforts have helped replace fear and isolation with opportunity and aspirations in tribal regions. “The whole country can see the result. Maoist terrorism in India is now counting its final breaths,” the Prime Minister said.
