While interacting with security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the nation’s ongoing battle against Naxalism, the sacrifices made by security forces, and the development initiatives undertaken in the affected regions. He noted that while armed Naxalites have been eliminated from the forests, the country now faces a new challenge: “ideological Naxalites” (or “intellectual Naxalites”) who have infiltrated various political parties and diverse organisations. Even today, they continue to incite people against the nation’s Constitution and its democracy. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to identify and track down such individuals to ensure the nation’s security.
PM Modi remarked that the fight against Maoist terror and Naxalism was far from easy. At one point, more than 230 districts across nearly 20 states were affected by Naxalism. Large parts of the country—including Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh—were gripped by Left-wing extremism, impacting the lives of millions residing in thousands of villages. In many areas, daily life would come to a standstill by evening, making it dangerous for people to even step out of their homes. The fear instilled by Naxalites even compromised the citizens’ right to vote. At its peak, there were as many as 2,000 Naxalite attacks in a single year.
Recalling the Naxalite violence that took place in Dantewada in 2010, the Prime Minister noted that the soil of this region was stained with the blood of brave soldiers and innocent civilians. That year, 76 CRPF personnel were martyred in an encounter with Naxalites, and in a separate incident in the same district, 44 innocent civilians were killed. He pointed out that such violence was not an isolated occurrence; similar incidents took place almost daily across various parts of the country, and this challenge persisted for decades. During this period, more than 1,000 security personnel lost their lives in Chhattisgarh alone.
PM Modi stated that if one examines the data from 2004 to 2013, the number of security personnel martyred at the hands of Naxalites each year exceeded the number of Naxalites killed. The leaders of Naxalite organisations would celebrate this situation, viewing it as their victory. The Prime Minister noted that many security personnel also lost their limbs in IED blasts. Taking aim at the leadership of that time, he remarked that while the land was being soaked in the blood of brave soldiers, those living in palaces—the ‘entitled’ elite—showed no empathy, nor did a single tear fall from their eyes.
He emphasised that to move the nation forward, it is essential to act against its enemies with strong resolve and a well-planned strategy. In 2014, the people of the country gave him the opportunity to serve, and subsequently, political will was demonstrated in the fight against Naxalism. As a result, both the situation on the ground and the statistics began to change. He highlighted that, for the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF soldier was martyred in the line of duty over the past year. The Prime Minister attributed this to the nation’s sound policies and strong political will.
He stated that when a government operates with a ‘nation-first’ approach, the country’s peace and security are strengthened. Furthermore, this fosters greater participation of the poor and marginalised sections in the nation’s development. He noted that over the last 12 years, alongside the fight against Naxalism and separatism, the country has also achieved a major victory against poverty. Citing a recent World Bank report, PM Modi mentioned that 500 million (50 crore) people in India have emerged from extreme poverty over the last 12 years. He pointed out that while slogans for poverty alleviation were raised for decades, the country has managed to achieve what was previously left undone—all within just 12 years.
According to him, the nation’s battle against Naxalism and separatism has served as a significant foundation for this success in the fight against poverty. He stated that the primary agenda of militants in Naxal-affected areas was to obstruct development and disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens. Consequently, alongside operations against Naxalism, the government undertook special efforts to foster development in these regions. The Prime Minister noted that, in addition to strengthening security, over 1,500 kilometres of roads were constructed in areas affected by Left-wing extremism. More than 9,500 mobile towers were installed in these regions. Approximately 200 Eklavya schools were established to support the education of tribal children, and around 50 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 50 skill development centres were launched to provide employment opportunities for the youth.
Furthermore, thousands of post offices, bank branches, and ATMs were opened. The ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’ was initiated to drive development in highly underdeveloped tribal areas, bringing basic amenities—such as water, electricity, and roads—to thousands of remote villages for the first time. He added that the government also provided an opportunity for Naxals who surrendered to reintegrate into the mainstream of society, implementing schemes for their rehabilitation. He emphasised that this mission of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (Together with All, Development for All) has infused the nation’s fight against poverty with renewed energy and confidence.
