Reacting to Amit Shah’s latest comments on Naxalism, the Chhattisgarh Congress communication department said the Union Home Minister is changing his stand for political reasons. The party pointed out that Shah himself had acknowledged progress against Naxalism during the Congress-led Bhupesh Baghel government.
Congress leaders recalled Shah’s visit to Chhattisgarh on April 5, 2021, when he had told the media that Naxalism was being pushed back substantially through coordinated efforts of the central and state governments. At the time, senior police officials had also stated that Naxal activities were in a “pack-up mode,” according to the Congress.
The party asserted that Naxal incidents declined by nearly 80 percent during its tenure. It said this reduction was not incidental but the outcome of a structured policy approach that combined security measures with development and public outreach in affected areas.
According to the Congress, the previous state government followed a “trust, development and security” model. New security camps were established in remote and Naxal-affected regions, while road and bridge construction improved access to interior areas, including Abujhmad. Connectivity, the party said, helped strengthen administrative presence and reduced the operational space for Naxal groups.
The Congress also highlighted social and economic interventions, including the opening of hundreds of schools, expansion of ration shops and healthcare facilities, and government procurement of more than 67 minor forest produce items. These steps, it claimed, increased local trust in the administration and security forces.
The party further claimed that more than 600 villages were declared Naxal-free during its tenure, with insurgent activity shrinking to limited pockets. Improved infrastructure, employment opportunities and deeper administrative reach were cited as key factors in weakening the influence of Naxal groups.
Congress leaders accused the Centre of ignoring these outcomes and indulging in political rhetoric. They argued that any objective assessment of the Naxal situation must acknowledge the role played by the policies of the previous state government.
The remarks come amid renewed political debate over internal security and responsibility for controlling Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh.
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