In a major development in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the neutralization of 194 Naxalites and the arrest of 801 since January 2024. These operations bring to the fore the continuous efforts in combating the Maoist insurgency in a state that has been a bastion of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) for years. Shah reiterated that the government’s mission is to banish Naxalism from India by March 2026.
The things there are somewhat similar to Chhattisgarh; especially concerning the ages of the Bastar area, it has long remained the heartland of Naxalite activity, with its thick forests providing refuge to the guerrillas. Most rampant operations on Naxals by the state happened in this state in the last few years. The hard Foster and concern with CRPF and the state police have in large part secured areas where Maoist presence was virtually eliminated. As of October 2024, more than 600 Maoists have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, which greatly undermined the influence and effective operation of the group.
Government’s Strategy and Commitment
Amit Shah, upon his visit to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh, asserted their commitment to eradicating Naxal violence by the government. The final phase of their operations focuses on both development, as well as security measures, whereby areas controlled by the Maoists will have basic amenities and infrastructure brought in, and also, new economic opportunities. Shah mentioned that the government had set out to modernize policing and intelligence networks to deal with the Naxal threats without delay.
Shah’s assertion that India will be free of Naxals by March 2026 is in tandem with the long-term strategy the Ministry of Home Affairs laid down in this direction. The security-development model thus far has achieved a shrinkage of zonal control by the Maoists in recent years, thus severely hampering recruitment into their ranks.
However, though the data reflects a decreasing trend, the Naxalities are not about to disappear. They are changing tactics, often living among civilians and sporadically attacking security forces. Militants are thus on the back foot, carrying out only small ‘hit and run’ operations aimed at the security forces or infrastructure. The lesser churn and the growing number of mass surrenders, however, prove that while the going may get tougher, the government forces are finally gaining the upper hand in the confrontation.
Impact on Security and Development
While the neutralization of about 194 Naxalites and the arrest of over 800 this year may depict India’s anti-insurgency strategy as prioritizing armed operations with developmental initiatives, government modernization of police deployment in the region has given the paramilitary forces added tactical advantage over Maoist rebels through technological innovation like drone surveillance and new intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
Further, a development-oriented approach taken by the government seeks to cut the support base of Maoist rebels by taking on the grievances of local populations in the affected region. In the past few years, infrastructure investments, educational initiatives, health programs, and communication facilities in the devastated area have encouraged the locals to separate from the insurgents.
