Chhattisgarh Naxal Operations: 194 Neutralised And 801 Arrested Since January, Says Amit Shah

During a review meeting focused on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) with chief ministers of affected states, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced significant achievements in combating Naxal activities in Chhattisgarh since January 2024.

He revealed that 194 Naxals have been neutralized, 801 arrested, and 742 surrendered in the state, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Shah On Chhattisgarh Naxal Operations

Shah appealed directly to Naxal operatives, urging them to lay down their arms and reintegrate into society. "I congratulate the Chief Minister, Home Minister, DGP, and the entire team of Chhattisgarh for their efforts. Since January, we have seen 194 Naxalites killed, 801 arrested, and 742 surrenders," he stated, highlighting the progress made against insurgent activities in the region.

The Home Minister emphasized the success of the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, which has seen its funding increase from ₹1,180 crore between 2004-2014 to ₹3,006 crore for the period from 2014-2024. "The SRE scheme is pivotal for development in Naxal-affected areas," he noted, also mentioning that ₹3,590 crore has been allocated under the Special Central Assistance Scheme over the last decade, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Shah also discussed improvements in infrastructure and support for security forces, revealing that the number of helicopters deployed for operations has risen from two to twelve, including six from the Border Security Force (BSF) and six from the Air Force. Furthermore, he highlighted that in the last ten years, 544 fortified police stations have been established, the road network has expanded from 2,900 km to 11,500 km, and 15,300 mobile towers have been installed, of which 5,139 have received 4G connections.

In terms of educational infrastructure, Shah pointed out that while only 38 Eklavya model schools were approved before 2014, the number has surged to 216, with 165 already constructed.

With a focus on development and security, Shah expressed hope that many Naxals would follow the path of reintegration, citing that nearly 13,000 individuals in regions like the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir have already done so, as per media reports.

The commitment to addressing Naxalism and promoting development in affected areas remains a priority for the government as they strive for peace and stability in Chhattisgarh and beyond.