Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 8 November 2026, addressed security forces in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, crediting decisive government policies for dismantling Naxal funding networks and dramatically reducing violence across the region. Speaking in Jagdalpur, Modi said lasting success against Naxalism (Maoism) was achievable only through the right intentions backed by firm, coordinated action — some of which, he noted, remains undisclosed to the public even today.

How Naxal Funding Networks Were Dismantled

Modi said a series of targeted measures dealt a major blow to the financial infrastructure supporting Naxalites and separatists. Networks circulating counterfeit currency were systematically dismantled, shattering the movement's financial strength and disrupting its entire supply chain. As a direct consequence, the flow of weapons was halted and the recruitment and movement efforts of Naxalites were effectively curtailed.

The Decades of Sacrifice by Security Forces

The Prime Minister recalled the heavy toll the conflict has taken on the country's security forces over decades. He said the soil of the region had been stained with the blood of brave soldiers, yet influential leaders living in comfort offered neither grief nor solidarity. Attacks occurred almost every day for years, and more than 1,000 security personnel were martyred in Chhattisgarh alone. Data from 2004 to 2013, he pointed out, showed more security personnel being killed each year than Naxalites — a grim inversion that underscored the previous policy vacuum.

He also recalled a devastating 2010 encounter in Dantewada in which 76 CRPF personnel were martyred, and a separate incident the same year that claimed 44 innocent civilian lives. At the peak of the conflict, the number of attacks reached 2,000 a year. Naxalites, he said, had even stripped people of their right to vote.

What Changed After 2014

Modi said the situation began to change after 2014, when he took charge as 'Pradhan Sevak'. Previous governments, he observed, had treated Naxalism as an incurable ailment and chose to leave it unaddressed. 'A nation cannot confront its enemies while operating under the assumption that the status quo is inevitable and must simply be accepted,' he said, addressing the assembled forces.

He described the present moment as a turning point: for the first time in 47 years, over the past year, not a single CRPF soldier has lost his life on duty in the region. This milestone, he said, is a victory of sound policies and firm resolve — and, above all, a testament to the valour, courage, and restraint of the security forces themselves.

Significance and What Comes Next

The address in Bastar carries both operational and political significance. This comes amid sustained anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha, where security forces have recorded notable gains over the past two years. Notably, the government's characterisation of a 47-year benchmark signals a formal claim that the decades-long insurgency is approaching a decisive turning point. The Centre is expected to continue coordinating state police, paramilitary, and intelligence assets to consolidate these gains across the remaining Naxal-affected districts.