NEW DELHI: The Union Government has achieved a remarkable turnaround in India’s fight against Naxalism, combining security operations with development and rehabilitation to bring peace and stability to long-affected regions. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government aims to make all Naxal-affected districts free from Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 2026.
Adopting a unified strategy based on Dialogue, Security, and Coordination, the government replaced fragmented past efforts with a comprehensive plan integrating law enforcement, development, and social reintegration. Between 2014 and 2024, Naxal-related incidents dropped from 16,463 to 7,744, while civilian and security personnel deaths declined by over 60%, signalling the restoration of governance and normalcy.
In 2025 alone, security forces neutralised 270 Naxals, arrested 680, and facilitated 1,225 surrenders. Operations such as Black Forest and Octopus showcased the growing confidence of insurgents to surrender and reintegrate. The number of affected districts has fallen from 126 in 2014 to just 18 in 2024, with only six now categorised as “most affected.”
The government’s investment in infrastructure has strengthened the security grid, 576 fortified police stations and 336 new security camps have been established. Use of drone surveillance, satellite imaging, and AI-based data analytics has improved intelligence and operational precision.
Parallel to security gains, large-scale development initiatives have accelerated inclusion. Over 12,000 km of roads have been built since 2014, while mobile connectivity has expanded through more than 8,500 new 4G towers. Financial inclusion has deepened with 1,000 new bank branches and nearly 6,000 post offices across LWE districts.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, 48 Industrial Training Institutes and 61 Skill Development Centres have been established, offering livelihood opportunities to youth in former conflict zones. The Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy further supports reformed cadres with financial assistance and vocational training to help them rebuild their lives.
Describing the transformation as “a decade of decisive action,” officials said the combination of modern security measures, grassroots development, and humane rehabilitation has turned once-affected areas into hubs of opportunity, bringing India closer to its goal of becoming completely Naxal-free by March 2026.
