Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday felicitated police officers, including senior Telangana officials, for their pivotal role in combating Left-Wing Extremism and making Telangana a Naxal-free state. The event, held in Jagdalpur, honored officers from insurgency-affected regions who contributed significantly to anti-Maoist operations.
Recognized Officers
Among those recognized were Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) CV Anand, state security advisor B Shivadhar Reddy, DGP Operations (OCTOPUS & Greyhounds) Dr. Anil Kumar, and Malkajgiri Commissioner of Police and former SIB IGP Sumati, along with her team. Shah lauded their relentless efforts in suppressing Naxal activity and ensuring long-term security in the region.
Government's Target to Eliminate Naxalism
Addressing the gathering, Shah recalled that during a review meeting in January 2024, the central government had set a target of March 31, 2026, to eliminate Naxalism nationwide. “Many doubted whether this goal was achievable, but with a clear strategy, we moved forward,” he said, adding that the Bastar region has now been declared Naxal-free. He termed the development a historic milestone, noting that the country had grappled with Naxalism since the 1970s, witnessing violence, stalled development, and uncertainty among youth.
Shah emphasized that the achievement was possible due to the sacrifices of security personnel from across states and the coordinated efforts of governments and security forces. Senior officials from central and state agencies attended the programme, underscoring the collaborative approach to this significant accomplishment.
