Raipur. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a press conference after the Inter State Coordination Committee meeting. Giving an open challenge to the Naxalites, Shah said, if they do not change their path, then the final attack will be done. The country including Chhattisgarh will be freed from the Naxal problem by 2026. Due to left wing extremism, people have remained illiterate, the state government and the central government will take initiative to make them literate. SIA will be created on the lines of NIA. The state government will soon announce a new surrender policy. Praising the Shah government, he said, Chhattisgarh has achieved great success in the Naxal case.
Amit Shah said, a meeting has been held on the very old problem of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh and the saturation of the plans of the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh in the Naxal-affected districts, the progress of development plans and the obstacles being faced. If we review the Naxal problem of Chhattisgarh, coordination of the neighboring states is necessary. The time has come to make a final attack against Naxalism with a ruthless strategy. We believe that left wing extremism is the biggest challenge for the democratic system of the country. In the last forty years, about 17 thousand people have lost their lives. Since the Modi government was formed at the Center, this problem has been accepted as a challenge.
Shah said, work was done to take away weapons from those who have them in their hands and to engage those who are not giving them up. Along with this, development of left wing extremism area has also been a priority. There have been many achievements. In 2022, the death rate was the lowest in four decades. Top 14 Naxalite leaders were neutralized. We worked with two objectives. First, to establish the rule of law in Naxal areas and second, to develop those areas.
Naxal-affected districts reduced from 96 to 42
He said, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and to some extent Maharashtra have been freed from the Naxal problem. There were 16 thousand incidents from 2004 to 2014 and about 7 thousand incidents have happened since 2014. There has been a decrease of about 53 percent. The figure in civil security has been 79 percent. In 2010, there were 96 Naxal-affected districts. Today it has come down to about 42. The number of police stations has been limited to 171. More than two hundred camps of CAPA have been set up since 2019. A strong blow has been given to the financial system of left wing extremism. ED has also played a big role in this.
Thanks to CM Sai and Deputy CM
The Union Home Minister said, I thank Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and Deputy CM Vijay Sharma for achieving great success in the Naxal case. A large number of Naxalites have been neutralized. New camps have been opened. When the Deputy CM goes to Hidma village and gives Aadhar cards to the villagers, we feel relieved in Delhi. For the first time after independence, tribals have exercised their right to vote in six villages of Sukma. Today, the security forces are contributing to the development of the region along with providing security.
Facilities increased in Naxal-affected areas
Connectivity has been provided by installing more than 1500 mobile towers in Bastar. Road connectivity has been improved. A post office has been opened every three kilometres. Facilities like banks and ATMs have reached the interior areas for the first time. ITIs have been opened for skill development. 164 Eklavya Vidyalayas have been opened.
Naxalites should give up their weapons, we will take care of them
Shah said, a joint task force has been formed between different state governments. Central government agencies are improving coordination. On the allegations of fake encounter, Amit Shah said that Congress is doing its work. We are doing our work. On peace talks, Amit Shah appealed that the Naxalites should surrender, give up their weapons, we will take care of them. On the question of going to Hidma’s village, Home Minister Amit Shah said that if the state Home Minister takes me, then I will go.
