New Delhi — Union Home Minister Amit Shah today announced a major breakthrough in the battle against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), with 258 battle-hardened extremists renouncing violence and surrendering over the last two days in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
In a social media post, the Minister detailed the surrenders: 170 Naxalites laid down their arms in Chhattisgarh today, following 27 who surrendered yesterday in the state. An additional 61 extremists returned to the mainstream in Maharashtra yesterday.
Shah lauded the Naxals’ decision to renounce violence and repose their trust in the Constitution of the country.
Calling it a “landmark day,” the Home Minister announced that Abujmarh and North Bastar in Chhattisgarh, which were once notorious Naxal terror bases, have now been declared free from Naxal terror.
Highlighting the significant progress in the state since the BJP government took power, Mr. Shah stated that over the last year, more than two thousand Naxalites have surrendered, nearly 1,800 arrested, and over 450 have been eliminated in Chhattisgarh alone.
The Minister emphasised a two-pronged approach: “those, who want to surrender, are welcome, and those who continue to wield the gun will meet the wrath of the Indian forces.”
Shah asserted that Naxalism is “breathing its last” and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering resolve to completely decimate Naxalism before the 31st of March of the next year.
He concluded his appeal by urging those still on the path of Naxalism to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream, citing the growing number of surrenders as proof of the government’s success.
