Raipur
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in Raipur on Saturday to review anti-Naxal operations. Officials informed Shah that Naxals are now changing their locations and fleeing to other states. Over the past year, security forces in Chhattisgarh have actively tracked down and engaged Naxals in jungle areas.
After hearing the updates, Shah emphasized the need for better coordination between state police and central security forces to capture Naxals fleeing from one state to another. He also directed Intelligence Bureau (IB) officers to act on intelligence inputs more efficiently.
The meeting was held on Saturday night at a resort in Raipur and was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Home Minister Vijay Sharma. During the meeting, the state government briefed Shah about the ongoing operations, Naxal surrenders, and various development schemes.
\Expansion of ‘Niyad Nellanar’ Scheme
Shah noted that there has been satisfactory progress in both development and security in Chhattisgarh. He instructed the state administration to expand the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ initiative—which aims to extend government schemes to every individual in Naxal-affected areas—from within a 5-kilometer radius of security camps to 10 kilometers.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring equal development opportunities for people in Naxal-affected areas. Shah asserted that the momentum of the anti-Naxal campaign should not slow down under any circumstances. Senior officials from CRPF, BSF, and ITBP were present at the meeting.
Addressing the officials, Shah said that March 31, 2026, should go down in history as the day Naxalism was eradicated across India, including in Chhattisgarh. “Generations have suffered due to Naxalism. Its complete annihilation is necessary to prevent its resurgence,” he said.
He reiterated the need for strong coordination between state police and central security agencies to effectively track and apprehend Naxals crossing state borders. Shah also emphasized maintaining a unified front in the ongoing battle against Naxalism.
The meeting was attended by the Director of IB, Special Secretary (Internal Security) from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Directors General of CRPF, NIA, BSF, and ITBP, as well as the Chief Secretary and DGP of Chhattisgarh and other senior officials.
Earlier on Saturday, Shah visited Dantewada, where he declared that the Red Terror (Naxalism) will be eradicated by the next Chaitra Navratri. He said Naxalism is on the verge of being eliminated from Bastar and appealed to Naxals to surrender. Addressing locals, he urged them to help make their villages Naxal-free by encouraging surrenders, promising that each village will receive Rs 1 crore in development funds.
