Amit Shah Declares Bastar Free of Naxalism

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared an end to Naxalism in Bastar, framing the movement's decline as a victory for tribal communities long plagued by insurgency. His remarks came during an assistive device distribution drive, where he cited the high number of local disability cases as physical evidence of decades of violence.

Editorial·October 15, 2026·reads: 1,342

Amit Shah Declares Bastar Free of Naxalism

The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan,' held in Jagdalpur between October 5 and 7, provided support to more than 3,600 people with disabilities, with over 1,570 beneficiaries located in Bastar. Shah utilized these figures to emphasize the human cost of the conflict, specifically pointing to injuries caused by IEDs as a fundamental violation of human rights. He noted that the initiative aligns with nationwide programs marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in government.

While the federal government previously set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to fully eradicate Naxalism, Shah insisted that the goal has already been met in the Bastar region. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai echoed this sentiment, describing the insurgency as a primary barrier to regional development that has finally been removed. This declaration follows a strategic push launched in January 2024, which officials initially doubted but have now claimed as a success attributed to the efforts of security forces.