Amit Shah chairs coordination meeting on Naxalism, officials of 7 states attend

During the recent Lok Sabha campaign, Shah had said Naxalism would be eliminated in three years in Chhattisgarh if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is elected for a third term.

Raipur: In a significant push to counter "left wing extremism," Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level interstate coordination meeting in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The meeting, held on Saturday, brought together senior officials from seven states, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing the Naxalite issue through enhanced inter-state collaboration.

The meeting was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, and Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.

Chief Secretaries and Director Generals of Police (DGPs) from Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra also attended, reflecting the broad-based and coordinated approach needed to combat the Naxalite threat.

The discussions cantered around strategies to improve security and foster development in areas affected by Naxalism. The official statement released after the meeting highlighted the significant progress made in anti-Naxalite operations, particularly following the BJP's victory in the assembly elections last year.

Reports indicate that nearly 147 Naxalites have been neutralized so far this year, showcasing the intensified efforts under the current administration. Shah emphasized the government's resolve to eradicate Naxalism in Chhattisgarh within the next three years. This ambitious goal, Shah noted, is contingent upon the re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third term, which would ensure continuity in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.

As the central and state governments continue to collaborate closely, the focus remains on not only neutralizing the extremist elements but also on bringing sustainable development to the regions most affected by Naxalite activities. This dual approach aims to address the root causes of extremism, ensuring long-term peace and prosperity for the affected communities.

According to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, the home minister reviewed the progress made by security forces and intelligence agencies since the last such meeting in January of this year, shortly after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a decisive victory in the state elections. This review included an assessment of the ongoing operations and the strategies employed to tackle the Naxal insurgency.

According to estimates since December 2023, security forces have reportedly killed 147 Maoists in 104 encounters. Additionally, 723 Naxal cadres have been arrested, and 622 have surrendered to authorities. These figures indicate a substantial weakening of the Naxal movement, as more cadres abandon the Communist Party of India (Maoist) amid fears of being killed or captured in the intensified operations.

Further strengthening the security forces' position, the Centre has accelerated the establishment of new camps, known as Forward Operating Bases (FOBs), in key Naxal strongholds over the past three months. These FOBs have provided security forces with a strategic advantage, enabling more coordinated intelligence-based operations and facilitating the delivery of development projects to remote villages, thereby shrinking the areas under Naxal control.

Since December last year, 33 new FOBs have been established in critical districts, including four in Sukma, eight in Bijapur, two in Dantewada, four in Narayanpur, and others in Kanker and Rajnandgaon. "These camps have not only enhanced our operational capacity but have also played a vital role in bringing development to areas previously dominated by Naxals," said a second senior officer.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently informed Parliament of the substantial reduction in the geographical spread of LWE violence. The number of LWE-affected districts has decreased dramatically from 126 across 10 states in 2013 to just 38 districts in 2024, spread across nine states.

This reduction is indicative of the significant progress made in curbing Naxalite activities. Incidents of LWE violence have dropped by 73% since their peak in 2010, while resultant deaths of security forces and civilians have decreased by 86%, from a high of 1,005 in 2010 to 138 in 2023. In the first half of 2024 alone, there has been a 32% reduction in LWE-perpetrated incidents and a 17% decrease in deaths compared to the same period in 2023.

Earlier Shah participated in the main manifestation meeting at the Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya temple, where he offered prayers. He also paid his respects at the Champeshwar Mahadev temple, praying for the happiness and prosperity of the people of India. Shah's visit to the ashram was marked by a traditional welcome, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region.

On this occasion, Dwarikeshwarlal Haraj presented the Union Home Minister with a statue of Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, symbolizing the spiritual significance of the visit. Additionally, representatives from the Vallabhacharya Nidhi Trust, including Harish Babaria and Monal Babaria, gifted him a picture of Shrinathji, further honoring the occasion.