Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Dantewada, located in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, on April 5. This visit comes amid the ongoing intensified operations against Naxalite forces in the area, marking the region as a focal point of heightened security measures.
Shah's visit will include participation in local festivities as well as a meeting with security commanders to discuss the ongoing anti-Naxal campaigns.
Shah will arrive in Raipur on the evening of April 4. He will proceed to Dantewada the following morning, where he is expected to begin his visit by offering prayers at the Maa Danteshwari Temple, a significant religious site in the region.
Following the temple visit, he will attend the closing ceremony of the 'Bastar Pandum' festival, a prominent cultural event celebrated in the area. Additionally, Shah will meet with local public representatives to discuss regional issues before convening a meeting with the commanders of the security forces engaged in anti-Naxal operations.
Vijay Sharma, the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, confirmed these details, highlighting the importance of Shah’s visit as part of ongoing efforts to tackle Naxalism in the region. Shah has consistently emphasised the government's commitment to eradicating Naxalism by March 2026, and his visit is seen as part of this broader strategic approach.
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The intensification of anti-Naxalite operations in Chhattisgarh has been particularly notable since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state in 2023. Security forces have achieved significant successes, with around 350 Naxalites killed in a series of encounters, most of which have occurred in the Bastar region.
The latest operation, which took place on March 29, resulted in the deaths of 18 Naxalites, including 11 women, during twin encounters in the Bastar area.
Shah also marked a key achievement in the government's efforts to combat Left-wing extremism. In a statement on Tuesday, he celebrated a significant reduction in the number of districts most affected by Naxal violence, which has now decreased from 12 to just six.
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This reduction is seen as a milestone in the government's broader efforts to address the issue of Naxalism across India. Shah reinforced the government's stance, declaring that the Narendra Modi administration is working toward a "Sashakt, Surakshit, and Samriddh Bharat," which includes a strong and uncompromising approach to dealing with Naxalism.
In his post on social media platform X, Shah further emphasised the progress made, describing the reduction in Naxal-affected districts as a "giant stride" toward achieving a Naxal-free India.
According to data from the Union Home Ministry, districts affected by Left-wing Extremism (LWE), also known as Naxal violence, are those where such activities continue to pose significant security challenges.
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