Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on 19 May 2026 that India has become completely free from Naxalism (Left-Wing Extremism), achieving the government’s March 31, 2026 target. The declaration was made in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, marking the end of a 55-year Maoist insurgency that began in 1971.
The success was credited to joint anti-Naxal operations such as Operation Black Forest and Operation Prahar conducted by CAPF, CRPF CoBRA commandos, and local security forces.
To promote development in tribal areas, 70 former security camps in Bastar will be converted into “Sewa Deras” for delivery of government welfare schemes, banking, healthcare, and education services. The government has also launched a ₹20 crore rehabilitation plan for surrendered Naxal cadres through education and skill development.
