Amit Shah Tells NDTV He Will Eradicate Maoism From India After Chhattisgarh Operation.

Chhattisgarh has seen an increase in proactive counterinsurgency operations. This comes after a clash between security forces and Maoists resulted in the deaths of 29 left-wing extremists, including a high-ranking rebel leader, Shankar Rao. The operation took place in the Hapatola forest near Binagunda village in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district.

It was a joint operation carried out by the Border Security Force and the state police’s District Reserve Guard, leading to a fierce gun battle. Three security personnel were injured, highlighting the intensity of the encounter. Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the government’s commitment against Naxalism and the need to eradicate it.

He also mentioned the government’s appeal to welcome those who lay down their weapons, but warned of a strong response from security forces to those who pick up arms. Mr. Shah also stated that since Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s government came to power in December 2023, there has been a surge in proactive counterinsurgency operations in Chhattisgarh. He expressed confidence that at the current pace, Naxalism would be completely eradicated from India in one or two years.

The home minister pointed out that the Congress has called the encounter fake and claimed that during their tenure in Chhattisgarh, there were no operations against Naxals. He noted that under the current government, a significant number of Naxals have been killed, arrested, and have surrendered. This latest operation in Kanker adds to the tally of 79 Maoists killed in separate engagements with security forces this year in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, which includes seven districts, including Kanker.