Amit Shah declares Bastar ‘Naxal-free:Credits security forces and BJP govt, accuses previous Congress regime of non-cooperation

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday declared that Bastar in Chhattisgarh had become “Naxal-free”, crediting the achievement to the combined efforts of security forces and the BJP government in the state. Addressing a gathering in Bastar, Shah said it was his first visit to the region since March 31, 2026, and pointed to what he described as a visible atmosphere of optimism and confidence among local residents. He was in Bastar to attend the 26th meeting of the Central Regional Council. Shah criticises previous Congress government During his speech, Shah drew a contrast between the current BJP administration in Chhattisgarh and the previous Congress government, alleging that the earlier state government had failed to cooperate with the Centre’s anti-Naxal operations. “Many non-BJP governments supported our Naxal-free campaign, but the Congress government in Chhattisgarh did not cooperate with us in the Naxal eradication campaign,” Shah said. He identified December 13, 2023, the day the BJP government led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai assumed office in Chhattisgarh, as a turning point in the campaign against left-wing extremism in Bastar. According to Shah, the state and Centre intensified operations against remaining Naxalite groups immediately after the formation of the BJP government. March 31, 2026 target achieved ahead of schedule Shah also referred to August 24, 2024, when, following a meeting of directors general of police from various states, the government formally announced a deadline of March 31, 2026, to eliminate Naxalism from the country. He said the target had been achieved ahead of schedule due to the “valour, courage and sacrifices” of security personnel. “Due to the bravery, courage and sacrifice of the security forces, Naxalism has been completely eradicated from the country before the scheduled date of March 31, 2026,” he said. ‘Naxalism hindered development’, says Shah Shah described May 19, 2026, as another significant date, saying it marked the beginning of a new development vision for former Naxal-affected regions. Referring to long-standing debates around the origins of Naxalism, Shah said supporters and intellectual sympathisers had often argued that extremism emerged because development had failed to reach remote areas. However, he claimed the reality was the opposite. “Today, when we look back, we see that it was Naxalism itself that was the reason for the lack of development,” he said. The Home Minister added that the government would now focus on comprehensive development across Bastar and other formerly affected regions following the end of Naxal violence. ​