Amit Shah Announces India's Liberation from Naxalism by March 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a historic declaration on Saturday, stating that India will be completely free from the scourge of Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Speaking at the 87th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Guwahati, Assam, Shah credited the paramilitary force and its elite CoBRA unit for their decisive role in uprooting the red terror that once plagued the nation.
CRPF's Transformative Role in Internal Security
Addressing the gathering at the CRPF Raising Day parade—held for the first time in Assam in the force's 86-year history—Shah emphasized that the sacrifices and courage of CRPF personnel have fundamentally transformed India's internal security landscape. "Naxalism had spread across 12 states and countless districts of the country," Shah recalled. "When the Government of India resolved to uproot this menace, personnel of the CRPF and the CoBRA force played the most crucial role in this effort."
The Home Minister highlighted that this monumental task was accomplished in just three years, a testament to the force's efficiency and dedication. "Such a huge, complex, and difficult task was completed in just three years, and it is because of the CRPF personnel that we can confidently say that by March 31, 2026, the country will be completely free from Naxalism," Shah asserted.
Operation Black Forest and Extreme Sacrifices
Shah detailed the CRPF's operations under "Operation Black Forest," where jawans dismantled Naxalite strongholds under extreme conditions. He recounted a particularly grueling mission where CRPF personnel operated for 21 consecutive days on rocky hills with temperatures soaring to 45 degrees Celsius. "Displaying exceptional courage, CRPF jawans did not retreat even an inch, ultimately dismantling the strategic base of the Naxalites," Shah said, underscoring the force's unwavering resolve.
The Home Minister reaffirmed that the CRPF and CoBRA have made a "very significant contribution in freeing the country from red terror." He noted that 2,270 CRPF jawans have made the supreme sacrifice to keep the nation safe, stating, "Without the CRPF, the internal security of the country cannot even be imagined."
Peace Restored in Former Violence Hotspots
Shah reflected on the dramatic improvements in India's security situation over the past decade. "A decade ago, Jammu and Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism-affected states, and the northeast were the three major hotspots of violence," he said. "Today, peace has been established in all three regions. Where once bomb blasts, bullets, and blockades dominated, now engines of growth are driving development forward."
He specifically highlighted the CRPF's role in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370, noting that not a single bullet had to be fired during the transition. "Incidents of stone-pelting in Jammu and Kashmir have come down to zero, industries are coming in, and development is taking place," Shah said, crediting the CRPF, Border Security Force (BSF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police for this achievement.
CRPF's Legacy and Growth
The Home Minister traced the CRPF's remarkable journey from its humble beginnings with two battalions in 1939 to becoming the world's largest paramilitary organization today, with 248 battalions and 3.25 lakh personnel. "The CRPF has been the backbone of India's internal security for 86 years, standing tall against terrorism, extremism, and insurgency," Shah declared.
He also reminded the audience of the force's track record in critical moments, including foiling the terrorist attack on Parliament and thwarting the 2005 assault on Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. "CRPF personnel never fail in their duty," Shah emphasized, citing their resilience even during the Kolkata attack where 78 police personnel were killed by Left-wing extremists.
National Parade Initiative and Northeast Focus
Shah explained that in 2019, the government decided to hold the annual parade of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in different parts of the country to showcase national unity. "Today, the CRPF parade is being held in one of the most important parts of the country—the northeast," he said, marking a significant moment for regional inclusion in national security celebrations.
The 87th Raising Day event in Guwahati not only celebrated the CRPF's past achievements but also set a clear timeline for India's complete liberation from Naxalism, with the Home Minister expressing full confidence in the force's continued success in safeguarding the nation's internal security.
