Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, 18 May felicitated senior Telangana Police officers at a special ceremony in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, honouring their role in making Telangana a Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-free state. The event marked a broader national milestone as Shah declared the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh free of Naxalism — a goal the Centre had set for itself by 31 March 2026.

Officers Honoured at the Ceremony

Telangana Director General of Police C.V. Anand, State Security Advisor B. Shivadhar Reddy, DGP Operations (OCTOPUS and Greyhounds) Dr Anil Kumar, and Malkajgiri Commissioner and former SIB IGP Sumati — along with the SIB team led by her — were among those felicitated. According to a statement issued by the DGP's office, Shah congratulated the officers for their outstanding efforts and dedicated service in combating Maoist activities across insurgency-affected regions.

Shah's Declaration: Bastar Now Naxal-Free

Addressing the gathering, Shah revealed that during an internal review meeting in January 2024, the Centre had set a target of eliminating LWE from the country by 31 March 2026. 'When we took this decision, many privately expressed doubts about whether such a goal could be achieved. However, we moved forward with a clear vision and a well-defined strategy. Today, with the blessings of Goddess Danteshwari, I am delighted to announce that the Bastar region has been declared Naxal-free,' the statement quoted him as saying.

Shah described Chhattisgarh becoming free from Naxalism as a historic milestone in India's prolonged battle against Left-Wing Extremism — a challenge the country had faced for nearly three generations, from the 1970s until 31 March 2026.

Decades of Bloodshed and Developmental Stagnation

The Home Minister noted that Naxal-affected regions had witnessed bloodshed, developmental stagnation, and deep uncertainty over the future of youth for decades. He stressed that personnel from nearly every state — including his home state of Gujarat — had made supreme sacrifices in the fight against LWE, and that the achievement was possible only because of their collective dedication.

Centre's Commitment to an LWE-Free India

Shah reaffirmed the Central government's commitment to eliminating Left-Wing Extremism from the country entirely and building what he called an LWE-free society. He described the achievement as the result of coordinated efforts, determination, and perseverance by security forces and governments working in tandem — something once considered an impossible goal. Several senior officials from the Central and state governments, along with representatives of various security agencies, attended the programme.

The recognition of Telangana's police leadership signals that the anti-LWE campaign has now entered what authorities describe as its final phase, with the Centre expected to sustain operational pressure in the remaining pockets of Maoist activity across other states.