Chhattisgarh may go Maoism free 2 months before deadline by Jan 2026

With the geographical spread of left-wing extremism (LWE) reducing drastically this year, Chhattisgarh is gearing up to declare the state Maoism-free by January, two months ahead of the BJP-led NDA government's target of March 2026. The number of LWE-affected districts has shrunk to three this year from 15 in 2024. Continuing anti-Maoist operations and increasing surrenders by cadres are likely to help the state achieve the target in advance, said state government officials. "The way our operations are being planned, there may be an announcement to this effect in January. The area under 'Red terror' has reduced drastically," said a senior state government official, who did not wish to be identified.

The Centre had approved the 'National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE' in 2015 to address the militancy holistically. The policy envisaged a multi-pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions as well as ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities. In 2013, there were 126 LWE-affected districts across 10 states. The count reduced to 38 across nine states in 2024. Chhattisgarh led the states with 15 LWE-affected districts. At present, there are only three "most affected" districts in the state-Bijapur, Narayanpur and Sukma.

Speaking to ET, Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said this opens the door for focused development and investment in areas that were earlier affected by left-wing extremism. "The state is now moving from a phase of conflict management to one of growth and infrastructure development," he said, adding that the number of most affected districts halved in just six months and declined from 35 when this sub-category was first created in 2015. "It is heartening to see that our sustained efforts against left-wing extremism are yielding tangible results. Key leaders have been neutralised, and operations against remaining cadres are progressing steadily," the CM said, expressing confidence that Maoism could be eradicated from the state by March 2026.


However, he emphasised that ending LWE is only part of the agenda. "The major task is not just ending Naxalism, but also developing the affected areas. Security camps are being set up regularly, and government schemes are being implemented to ensure development reaches every corner," he said.

On the economic front, Sai said Chhattisgarh has seen robust industrial interest. "In the last 10 months, we have received proposals worth ₹7.5 lakh crore, and work has already started on the ground. We have special incentives for industrialists providing employment to over 1,000 people, and the state is beginning to reap the benefits," he said.