Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Thursday, announced that Abujhmarh and North Bastar districts in Chhattisgarh have been declared free of Naxal terror following the surrender of 170 insurgents. On Thursday, Home Minister Amit Shah disclosed that 170 Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh, joining 27 others who had laid down arms earlier. In Maharashtra, 61 insurgents also surrendered, bringing the two-day total to 258 fighters renouncing violence. Meanwhile, Shah warned that those who do not surrender will face the “wrath” of security forces, as part of the government’s continued push to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026.
The Home Minister hailed the developments as historic, declaring that Abujhmarh and North Bastar, once strongholds of insurgent activity, are now Naxal-free. He noted that only South Bastar remains with traces of the movement, which will be “wiped out soon” by security forces.
According to OdishaTV, ever since the BJP came to power in Chhattisgarh in January 2024, Shah claimed that 2,100 insurgents have surrendered, 1,785 have been arrested, and 477 have been neutralised.
Ultimatum & path ahead
Shah reiterated the government’s dual approach: those who surrender are welcome, while those who continue resistance will face force. “This policy is clear,” he said, urging remaining cadres to abandon arms and join the mainstream, according to a PTI News report. He also reaffirmed the target of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026, stressing that operations and rehabilitation measures will continue until that goal is met.
With large numbers of Naxals surrendering in major regions across Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and more, security operations tightening, and strategies focusing on reintegration, the BJP government at the Centre is betting on a collapse of the insurgent framework in the coming months.