Amit Shah Honors Telangana Police for Successful Anti-Naxal Campaign

Hyderabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to senior law enforcement officials from Telangana during a recognition ceremony in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, celebrating their pivotal work in combating Naxal insurgency and advancing the state's transition to a Naxal-free region.

Among those recognized were Telangana Police Director General C. V. Anand, State Security Advisor B. Shivadhar Reddy, DGP Operations Dr Anil Kumar, and Malkajgiri Commissioner Sumati, along with members of her Special Intelligence Bureau team. The officers were acknowledged for their sustained efforts against Maoist activity in areas grappling with Left-Wing Extremism.

During his remarks, Shah praised the officers' dedication to counter-insurgency work and reaffirmed the central government's resolve to purge Naxalism from across India. He highlighted that the administration had established March 31, 2026, as the target date for eliminating Naxalism nationwide, a goal set during an internal review conducted in January 2024.

Shah noted that skeptics initially questioned whether this ambitious timeline could be realized. However, he emphasized that through methodical strategy and coordinated action between various agencies, significant progress has been made. In a major development, he announced that authorities have successfully declared the Bastar region free of Naxal presence.

The Home Minister characterized Chhattisgarh's emergence from Naxal violence as a watershed moment in India's decades-long struggle against Left-Wing Extremism. He reflected on the toll this conflict has extracted since the 1970s, noting that affected regions have endured violence, developmental setbacks, and uncertainty for nearly three generations.

Shah underscored that Naxal-affected areas have witnessed substantial human costs, with security personnel from multiple states making ultimate sacrifices during counter-insurgency operations. He credited the achievement to the synergistic efforts of security forces and governmental bodies working with unified purpose and commitment.

The event drew participation from senior administrators representing central and state governments, as well as representatives from various security agencies.