Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a three-day visit to Chhattisgarh on December 13, 2024, to review the ongoing anti-Naxal operations and security measures in the region. This visit marks his first since the high-level meeting on anti-Naxal operations held in August 2024.
During the visit, Shah will preside over a security review and assess the progress of the state’s efforts to curb the Naxal insurgency. Shah is expected to spend a night at a security forces’ forward base in Bastar, an area that is gradually being freed from Naxal control. His visit comes amid a surge in anti-Naxal operations with a focus on dismantling insurgent networks and restoring peace in the affected districts.
Security Forces’ Success in Naxal Operations
Under the BJP government in Chhattisgarh, there has been significant progress in addressing the Naxalite insurgency. Amit Shah highlighted that, since December 2023, 90 Maoists have been killed, 123 arrested, and 250 surrendered. Since August 25, 2024, 66 Maoists have been killed, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Dantewada district. Bastar continues to be a focal point of operations, with multiple anti-Naxal operations being carried out, leading to the recovery of 88 weapons and the seizure of 83 IEDs.
Shah’s Message to Naxals
In a prior meeting, Shah warned Maoists, urging them to either surrender or face severe consequences. He emphasized that the region’s anti-Naxal efforts had delivered substantial blows to Maoist activities and that the leadership and cadres now had only one option: to leave violence behind and join the mainstream.
Focus on Bastar and Infrastructure Development
Shah will also review infrastructure projects in regions that are nearing freedom from Naxal influence. The local population remains hopeful for a future free from the Naxal menace and is eager to see the region’s development as it transitions to peace.
Growing Success of Anti-Naxal Operations
The anti-Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) operations in the state have intensified in 2024, with a reported increase in Naxal casualties compared to previous years. A total of 207 Maoists have been killed this year, a significant rise from just 22 killed in 2023. Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, also met with Amit Shah in Delhi recently to brief him on the progress of operations in the state.
The visit is expected to highlight the government’s commitment to eradicating Naxal violence and restoring peace to Chhattisgarh.
