Raipur. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was on a visit to Chhattisgarh, while addressing a press conference after a meeting on the Naxal issue, said that 17 thousand soldiers and common people have lost their lives in Naxal incidents across the country so far. At present, Naxal incidents have reduced significantly and we will make the country Naxal-free by 2026.
Citing the figures, Amit Shah said that Naxal incidents in the country have reduced by 53 percent. He said that states like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have become Naxal-free. In this sequence, left wing extremism will be wiped out from the country in the next three years. The Union Home Minister said that Naxal activities have reduced in Chhattisgarh and CM Vishnu Dev Sai and Deputy CM Vijay Sharma have done better work in this direction.
Comparative data of Naxal incidents in two decades:
Home Minister Amit Shah presented comparative data of Naxal incidents during the last ten years of BJP-led rule and the ten years of the previous government. He said that in the last 10 years, top 14 Naxal leaders have been killed. From 2004 to 2014, 16463 Naxal incidents took place, while from 2014 till now, 7744 incidents have taken place. Similarly, in the last 10 years, the death of security forces and civilians has decreased significantly. In 2010, 96 districts of the country were Naxal-affected, now only 42 are left.
Successful in creating the confidence of development:
Home Minister Amit Shah said that our government has succeeded in creating the confidence of development in place of the ideology of left wing extremism. We worked with two objectives, first to try to establish the rule of law and second to fill the gap of development affected due to destruction.
The Union Home Minister said that ever since the Narendra Modi government has come to the center, we have accepted the problem of Naxalism as a challenge. An attempt was made to bring the lack of development there at par with the whole country. Its effect is also visible. A lot of work has been done in the affected areas. He said that our central and state government is committed to the development of the entire region from Bastar to Bijapur and Dantewada to Dhamtari.
SIA will be formed on the lines of NIA:
Amit Shah praised the Chhattisgarh government and mentioned the changes made by the government. He said that a big change has been made in the purchase of tendu leaves in the state. SIA will be formed on the lines of NIA. Along with this, the surrender policy will also be introduced in a new form, said Shah.
Many works done in Naxal-affected areas:
In the press conference, Amit Shah said that during the tenure of BJP government in Chhattisgarh, 540 Naxalites surrendered leaving left wing extremism, while 559 Naxalites have been arrested. In Vishnudev’s government, Aadhar and Ayushman cards were made for the citizens in the most Naxal-affected areas. After 5 decades, people of 6 villages of Sukma exercised their franchise. This is a victory of security forces and democracy.
Amit Shah said that at present the security forces are also monitoring the development work being done in Naxal-affected areas. The collectors and SPs of the districts also have an important contribution in this. The central government is spending more than 21 thousand crores to increase development and connectivity in Naxal-affected areas. Under this, along with the construction of roads, 2796 bank branches and 2061 ATMs have been established in 25 districts and a large number of post offices have been opened.
Appeal to Naxalites to give up arms:
Referring to the development work in Naxal-affected areas, Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to the Naxalites to give up the path of extremism, surrender and join the mainstream of society.
Anti-Naxal campaign accelerated under BJP government:
Home Minister Amit said that during the Congress rule in Chhattisgarh, the anti-Naxal campaign and development work in the affected areas had slowed down considerably. But after the BJP government came to power, it has gained momentum again. He said that our Home Minister is visiting Hidma’s village and meeting people, this is a big achievement.