Current Affairs Topics Archive
International Relations Economics Polity & Governance Environment & Ecology Science & Technology Internal Security Geography Social Issues Art & Culture Modern History

‘Maoist issue not linked to development’: In Chhattisgarh, Amit Shah reiterates March deadline to uproot Naxalism

February 09, 2026 4 min read Internal Security GS3 (Internal Security LWE Challenges to internal security)
On This Page ▼

What Happened

  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the government's commitment to eliminating Naxalism from Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026, while explicitly rejecting the narrative that Maoist insurgency is primarily driven by lack of development.
  • Shah stated that ideology — specifically Marxist-Maoist ideology — rather than underdevelopment, is the fundamental driver of Left-Wing Extremism, representing a significant policy framing shift from the earlier "development deficit" explanation.
  • Official data cited at the event reported that since January 2024, more than 500 Naxalites — including CPI (Maoist) general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju — have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh, while around 1,900 were arrested and over 2,500 surrendered.
  • The government credited a combination of intensified security operations, targeted intelligence, disruption of Naxal financial networks, and an updated Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy (notified by Chhattisgarh government in March 2025) for the accelerated results.
  • As of early 2026, the number of most-affected LWE districts nationwide has been reduced from 12 to 6: four in Chhattisgarh (Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma), one in Jharkhand (West Singhbhum), and one in Maharashtra (Gadchiroli).

Static Topic Bridges

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) and the Red Corridor

Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), commonly called Naxalism, refers to armed insurgencies inspired by Marxist-Maoist ideology that have operated in India's rural and forested hinterlands for over five decades. The movement traces its origin to the Naxalbari peasant uprising in West Bengal in 1967, led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal. LWE groups seek to overthrow the Indian state through protracted guerrilla warfare, drawing support from tribal and marginalised communities who perceive the state as exploitative.

  • The "Red Corridor" historically stretched across Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, and Kerala.
  • As of April 2024, 38 districts across 7 states are officially classified as LWE-affected — down from 126 districts in 2010.
  • MHA data shows that incidents of LWE violence reduced by over 77% and deaths by more than 90% between 2010 and 2023.
  • The principal Maoist organisation is the Communist Party of India (Maoist), formed in 2004 through a merger of CPI(ML)(People's War) and the Maoist Communist Centre.

Connection to this news: Shah's statement that the Maoist problem is ideological rather than developmental directly challenges the long-standing "root causes" explanation and signals that the government's endgame strategy is security-and-intelligence-led rather than welfare-programme-led.

SAMADHAN Framework — India's Anti-LWE Policy Architecture

The SAMADHAN framework, introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2017, is India's comprehensive multi-pronged strategy to combat Left-Wing Extremism. It replaced ad hoc counter-insurgency approaches with a structured, time-bound framework integrating security operations, governance, intelligence, and development.

  • SAMADHAN is an acronym: Smart Leadership, Aggressive Strategy, Motivation and Training, Actionable Intelligence, Data-Driven Monitoring, Harnessing Technology, Area-Specific Action Plans, No Access to Financing.
  • The framework includes the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, which funds deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in LWE areas.
  • Complementary programmes: PMGSY (road connectivity in LWE areas), mobile connectivity projects, aspirational districts programme, and dedicated LWE district development funds.
  • Operation Kagar (2024–25) was a major security offensive that specifically targeted Maoist leadership structures in the Dandakaranya region (Chhattisgarh-Telangana-Maharashtra tri-junction), resulting in the killing of several top cadres including CPI (Maoist) general secretary Basavaraju.

Connection to this news: Shah's March 2026 deadline is the operational target attached to the SAMADHAN framework — the statement is essentially a review of SAMADHAN's progress and a reaffirmation of its security-centric core.

Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy for Naxalites

India's approach to LWE includes a surrender and rehabilitation dimension alongside security operations. Both the central government and individual state governments operate surrender-and-rehabilitation (S&R) schemes that offer surrendered Naxalites financial incentives, vocational training, housing, and legal protection from prosecution for minor offences.

  • Chhattisgarh notified an updated Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy in March 2025, offering higher financial packages and faster resettlement to incentivise mid- and senior-level cadre defections.
  • Since January 2024, over 2,500 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh alone — the highest surrender rate in recent years, attributed to both military pressure and improved S&R incentives.
  • The central S&R scheme provides up to ₹2.5 lakh as immediate assistance, with additional amounts for surrendering weapons; states typically supplement this.
  • Rehabilitation effectiveness has been questioned by researchers who note that surrendered cadres often face social ostracism and lack of economic opportunities in their home regions.

Connection to this news: The high surrender figures Shah cited are partly attributable to the revised S&R policy — making rehabilitation policy a key variable in the government's claim of being on track to meet the March 2026 deadline.

Key Facts & Data

  • March 31, 2026: Government deadline to eliminate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh (declared by Home Minister)
  • Naxalites killed (Jan 2024 onwards): 500+ in Chhattisgarh, including CPI (Maoist) general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao (alias Basavaraju)
  • Arrested (Jan 2024 onwards): ~1,900 in Chhattisgarh
  • Surrendered (Jan 2024 onwards): 2,500+ in Chhattisgarh
  • LWE-affected districts: Reduced from 126 (2010) → 90 (April 2018) → 70 (July 2021) → 38 (April 2024)
  • Most-affected districts (2026): 6 districts — Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, Sukma (Chhattisgarh); West Singhbhum (Jharkhand); Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)
  • LWE violence reduction: Over 77% fewer incidents, over 90% fewer deaths (2010–2023, MHA data)
  • Chhattisgarh updated S&R policy: Notified March 2025
  • Origin of Naxal movement: Naxalbari, West Bengal, 1967
  • Principal organisation: Communist Party of India (Maoist), formed 2004