Abujhmad and North Bastar districts in Chhattisgarh, once notorious strongholds of Naxal terror, have been officially declared free of Maoist insurgency, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on X on Sunday.
“This is a matter of immense pleasure that Abujhmad and North Bastar, which were once terror bases, have today been declared free from Naxal terror,” Shah wrote, highlighting the dramatic transformation of the regions after decades of insurgent activity.
The announcement reflects the Modi government’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026, as India continues its multi-pronged approach against left-wing extremism. Shah assured that remaining pockets of Naxalism in South Bastar would be swiftly eliminated by India’s security forces.
Since the BJP assumed power in Chhattisgarh in January 2024, the government has reported significant operational successes.
Shah revealed that 2,100 Naxalites have surrendered, 1,785 have been arrested, and 477 have been neutralised in encounters, reflecting a combination of enforcement and rehabilitation measures.
Recent achievements include the surrender of 258 extremists over two days, with 170 in Chhattisgarh and 61 in Maharashtra. Earlier, the elimination of top CPI-Maoist leaders, including Basavaraju in May 2025 during Operation Black Forest, resulted in 84 surrenders and 54 arrests across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
In September, security forces neutralised two Central Committee members in Abujhmad, further weakening the insurgent network.
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Experts attribute the progress to improved intelligence coordination, fortified border operations, and the government’s surrender policy, which offers financial aid, skill training, and constitutional safeguards to those who renounce violence.
Shah praised the forces’ “relentless efforts” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, declaring, “Naxalism is breathing its last.” He urged remaining insurgents to lay down arms and reintegrate into society or face the full might of the state.
The declaration of Maoist-free status in Abujhmarh and North Bastar paves the way for accelerated development in tribal heartlands long deprived of infrastructure. Initiatives for better roads, schools, and healthcare are already underway, offering hope to communities that have endured decades of fear.
With over 4,362 extremists neutralised, surrendered, or arrested since 2024, the campaign underscores the government’s zero-tolerance approach. Security analysts predict that South Bastar could soon follow, potentially confining Naxalism to isolated pockets.
The declaration not only strengthens national security but also fulfils the BJP’s promise of a Naxal-free India, signalling a transition from conflict to sustained peace and prosperity in Chhattisgarh.
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