Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a speech during Diwali celebrations with security forces in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, declaring India free from Naxalism for the first time in decades. He announced that every district in the country is now free from Naxalite influence, marking the end of a decades-long battle against Maoist terror.
The PM credited security forces for this achievement, noting that over 230 districts across nearly 20 states were previously affected by Naxalism. He provided historical context, stating that in 2010 alone, there were 76 CRPF personnel martyred in Dantewada and 44 civilian deaths in another incident. More than 1,000 security personnel sacrificed their lives in Chhattisgarh alone during the conflict, with many soldiers losing limbs in IED blasts. Between 2004-2013, more security personnel were martyred annually than Naxalites eliminated.
Modi highlighted that for the first time in 47 years, no CRPF jawan lost his life during duty over the past year. He attributed this success to policy changes implemented since 2014, including disrupting Naxalite funding networks, destroying fake currency nexuses, and giving security forces greater operational freedom.
The speech connected the victory against Naxalism to poverty reduction efforts, citing a World Bank report that 50 crore Indians have exited extreme poverty over the past twelve years. Modi credited various government schemes including Jan Dhan Yojana (banking access), PM Awas Yojana (housing), Mudra Yojana (collateral-free loans), SVANidhi Scheme (street vendor support), Ayushman Bharat (free healthcare), and free food grain distribution.
Specific development statistics for Naxal-affected areas were provided: over 15,000 km of roads built with security arrangements, more than 9,500 mobile towers installed, approximately 175 Eklavya schools opened for tribal children, nearly 50 Industrial Training Institutes established, around 50 Skill Development Centers created, and thousands of post offices, bank branches, and ATMs opened. The PM Janman Yojana was launched for backward tribal regions.
Despite the victory, Modi warned that intellectual Naxalites remain a threat, having infiltrated political parties and organizations where they continue to provoke people against the Constitution and democracy. He emphasized that the achievements are not a pause but a platform for further goals including a drug-free India, narcotics-free India, Developed India, and Self-Reliant India.