The Prime Minister has expressed deep satisfaction with the success achieved against Maoist terrorists. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi, he stated that the day when India is completely free of Maoist terror is not far. He highlighted the recent progress in countering the movement, noting that 303 Maoist operatives have surrendered in the past 75 hours. According to the Prime Minister, only three districts in the country remain under the severe grip of Left Wing Extremism.
The Prime Minister guaranteed that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) would soon be a thing of the past. He said that areas previously affected by Naxalism would celebrate Diwali for the first time in 60-70 years. He also criticized previous Congress governments for allegedly nurturing "urban Naxals" and ignoring the violence they perpetrated.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also announced that 258 Naxalites had surrendered in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra over the past two days. Shah commended those who surrendered for choosing peace and credited the central government's sustained efforts under Prime Minister Modi's leadership for this development, stating that "Naxalism is breathing its last". Shah has also reiterated the government's policy that welcomes those who surrender but promises harsh action against those who continue to take up arms, and appealed to all remaining Naxalites to abandon violence and return to the mainstream.
The Prime Minister noted that eleven years ago, approximately 125 districts across the country were affected by Maoist terrorism, but today, that number has been significantly reduced to just 11 districts, with only three remaining severely impacted. He pointed out that thousands of Naxalites have surrendered in the past decade, abandoning their violent path. The Prime Minister emphasized that those surrendering included individuals with significant bounties on their heads.
Modi stated that Maoist terrorists have killed thousands over the last 50-55 years, preventing the construction of schools and hospitals, and bombing institutions. He characterized Maoist terrorism as an injustice to young people. The Prime Minister expressed his personal anguish over the situation.
The mass surrenders are attributed to intensified security operations, strategic outreach programs, and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at encouraging extremists to reintegrate into civil society. Officials are optimistic that this trend will further weaken the Naxal movement and restore peace in previously troubled areas.
