NEW DELHI — Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Monday, March 30, 2026, that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) has been effectively neutralized in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. Participating in a discussion on the government’s efforts to counter Maoism, Shah stated that the region is now transitioning toward systemic development after decades of violence.
Addressing the House, the Home Minister noted that the “Red Corridor” once spanned 12 states, where lack of governance and persistent violence claimed the lives of approximately 20,000 people, including 5,000 security personnel. He emphasized that 12 crore people had been trapped in poverty due to the absence of the rule of law in these areas.
“Maoists exploited innocent tribal populations by presenting a false narrative of fighting for their rights while seeking to grab power through undemocratic means,” Shah said. He attributed the success of anti-Naxal operations to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), specifically the CoBRA and CRPF units, the Chhattisgarh State Police, the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the local tribal community.
The Home Minister reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward armed insurgency, noting that the focus has now shifted to establishing essential infrastructure, including schools and ration shops, in every village across Bastar.
