86 Maoists surrender on the day Amit Shah vows to end 'red-terror' nationwide by March 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reaffirmed the government's commitment to eradicating Naxalism, or "Red Terror," across India by March 2026. Speaking at an event in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, Shah emphasized that Naxalism is on the verge of being completely eliminated, particularly in the Bastar region. He highlighted that the BJP government is working tirelessly to free the country from the grip of "Laal Aatank" by the set deadline, signaling a new phase of peace and development in these affected areas.

In a significant development, on the very day of Shah's announcement, 86 Maoists surrendered to the police in Telangana. This event added to the ongoing efforts by the government to curb Naxalism. Shah noted that in the last three months alone, 521 Naxals had surrendered, with a total of 881 rebels laying down their arms in 2024. These figures indicate the ongoing momentum in the government's anti-Naxal operations. The Home Minister assured that individuals who surrender would be integrated into the mainstream, but warned that those continuing to take up arms would face decisive action from the security forces.

Shah also remarked on the changing situation in Bastar, a region once heavily associated with Naxal violence. He stated that Bastar is now moving towards a future of peace and development, with the region no longer being a "symbol of fear." The Home Minister noted that, under the current government, Bastar is witnessing significant progress. He underscored that the government’s efforts are focused on eliminating the root causes of Naxalism by promoting infrastructure development and economic growth in these tribal areas.

Alongside the announcement, Shah reiterated the government’s focus on promoting tribal culture, which he described as integral to the development of Bastar and other affected regions. During his address, Shah also honored local artists for their contributions to preserving tribal traditions and culture, reinforcing the idea that development should go hand in hand with cultural preservation.

In a related move, the Chhattisgarh government announced the formation of District Construction Committees in Naxal-affected districts like Sukma, Bijapur, and Narayanpur. The committees aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective implementation of developmental projects. These initiatives reflect a dual approach—simultaneously targeting the roots of Naxalism through security measures and promoting governance transparency to enhance the quality of development in these areas.