Under the resolute leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, India is forging an unyielding path to eradicate Naxal terror, or Left-Wing Extremism, by March 31, 2026. This audacious deadline embodies a fierce resolve to dismantle an insurgency that has haunted the nation for over five decades, claiming countless lives, stunting progress, and testing the resilience of India’s democratic spirit. Through a dynamic blend of aggressive security operations, transformative development, and compassionate rehabilitation, the Modi government is not merely confronting Naxalism, but reimagining the future of India’s tribal heartlands, weaving a vision of peace and prosperity.

Naxalism, rooted in socio-economic inequities and fuelled by ideological extremism, has long cast a dark shadow over India’s mineral-rich, tribal-dominated regions, particularly in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Since taking office in 2014, PM Modi has prioritised this internal security threat, viewing it as a barrier to inclusive growth and democratic governance.

Home Minister Amit Shah, with his characteristic clarity, has labelled Naxalism “the biggest challenge to our democratic system", noting its toll of nearly 17,000 lives over four decades. Yet, the government’s confidence in setting a 2026 deadline is far from rhetorical—it is anchored in a decade of tangible progress. From 126 Naxal-affected districts in 2014, the number has shrunk to just 12 by 2024, with only six classified as heavily affected.

Incidents of Naxal violence have plummeted by 53 per cent, and deaths have dropped by 70 per cent compared to the 2004-2014 period. This remarkable decline underpins a strategy Amit Shah describes as “ruthless yet humane," seamlessly blending decisive action against armed........

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