India Achieves Major Milestone in Reducing Naxalism, Says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today announced a significant achievement in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), with the number of districts most affected by Naxalism being reduced to just six, down from twelve. This marks a major milestone in the government’s ongoing efforts to create a Naxalism-free Bharat.

In a post on the X platform, Shri Amit Shah highlighted the determination of the Modi government in building a “Sashakt, Surakshit, and Samriddh Bharat” with a relentless approach to tackling Naxalism, while ensuring comprehensive development across the nation. The government has set a clear target to completely uproot Naxalism by 31st March 2026.

As of now, the total number of districts affected by Naxalism stands at 38, with the most severely affected areas being reduced from 12 to 6. These districts include four from Chhattisgarh (Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma), one from Jharkhand (West Singhbhum), and one from Maharashtra (Gadchiroli).

Additionally, the number of ‘Districts of Concern’—areas where intensive resources are needed to curb Naxalism—has decreased from 9 to 6. These districts are spread across Andhra Pradesh (Alluri Sitarama Raju), Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat), Odisha (Kalahandi, Kandhamal, and Malkangiri), and Telangana (Bhadradri-Kothagudem).

The number of ‘Other LWE-affected Districts’ has also seen a decline, falling from 17 to 6. These include districts from Chhattisgarh (Dantewada, Gariaband, and Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki), Jharkhand (Latehar), Odisha (Nuapada), and Telangana (Mulugu).

The reduction in the number of Naxal-affected districts is a testament to the persistent and coordinated efforts by the government. The Ministry has been providing financial assistance under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme to the most affected districts, with Rs. 30 crore allocated for them and Rs. 10 crore for the Districts of Concern. These funds are intended to fill gaps in public infrastructure, alongside special projects tailored to meet the needs of these regions.

The rapid improvement in the Naxalism situation is largely attributed to the establishment of new security camps in insurgency-prone areas and a focus on development projects such as expanding roads, improving transport, and providing access to water, electricity, and welfare schemes. These initiatives have successfully reached the rural areas, aiding in the overall reduction of Naxalism.

With continued efforts, the government remains committed to completely eliminating the threat of Naxalism by 2026, ushering in a more peaceful and prosperous India.