Raipur, March 26 (NationPress) The Bastar region in Chhattisgarh is witnessing a dramatic decrease in the number of armed Maoist cadres, with a reduction of over 5,500 in recent years. This achievement signifies a crucial milestone in the ongoing battle against Left-Wing Extremism. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma stated that this remarkable decline has propelled the region closer to its objective of being entirely free from Maoist influence by March 31 this year.

In a media briefing, Sharma noted that approximately 3,000 Maoists have surrendered recently, contributing significantly to the reduction in armed cadres.

Moreover, security forces have apprehended nearly 2,000 Maoist operatives over the past two years. The combination of surrenders and arrests has led to a decrease of about 5,000 in the number of armed Maoists.

In addition, the Home Minister mentioned that security forces have neutralized 525 Maoists during various operations, culminating in a total reduction of 5,525 armed cadres.

Sharma expressed optimism that, with the persistent efforts of both Central and state security forces, the entire Bastar region will soon be liberated from Maoist violence. He commended the bravery and determination displayed by the personnel of the Central and state armed forces in achieving this advancement.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also shared this progress through a series of posts on the social media platform X, emphasizing that effective governance policies have ushered in a new era of change in Bastar.

Under the Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025, more than 2,800 individuals have renounced violence and returned to the mainstream. The Chief Minister highlighted that this shift demonstrates that the force of development and trust is more powerful than any ideological divergence.

According to Chief Minister Sai, the influence of Maoism is steadily diminishing in Bastar alongside the advancement of good governance. The region, once synonymous with fear, violence, and alienation, is now confidently progressing towards democracy, development, and trust.

He underscored that the government's strong resolve, coupled with active public engagement, has laid a solid foundation for enduring peace. The Chief Minister characterized this transformation as a compelling example of how trust can foster lasting change.

Bastar, traditionally viewed as the epicenter of Naxal activities, is now exhibiting signs of a more peaceful future. Security officials are confident that ongoing operations and rehabilitation initiatives will aid in eradicating the Naxal issue from the region in the forthcoming months.