New Delhi: The Indian government on Wednesday announced a major milestone in its efforts to combat Naxalism, reporting that only three districts—Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh—remain on the list of “most affected” districts by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). This represents a substantial reduction from six districts previously classified under this category.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also clarified that other districts that were earlier considered severely affected, such as Gadchiroli in Maharashtra, West Singhbhum in Jharkhand, and Kanker in Chhattisgarh, have now been removed from the list of the most-affected districts. Overall, the number of districts impacted by LWE has decreased to 11 from 18. The government reaffirmed its commitment to completely eradicating Naxalism across India by March 31, 2026.

Decline of Naxal Influence

Naxalism, once considered India’s most significant internal security challenge, was prevalent in 126 districts across multiple states in 2013. The so-called “Red Corridor” envisioned by Maoist extremists stretched from Pashupati in Nepal to Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, posing a severe threat to law and order and hindering development in large parts of the country.

According to the MHA, sustained and coordinated counter-Naxal operations under the National Action Plan and Policy have yielded unprecedented results. The approach combines intelligence-driven operations with community-friendly measures designed to win hearts and minds in affected regions. “Once called India’s biggest internal security challenge by the then Prime Minister in 2010, Naxalism is now visibly retreating,” the statement said.

Statistics Reflect Progress

The government cited concrete data to underscore its success in addressing the Naxal threat. Since the implementation of its multi-pronged strategy, 312 Left-Wing Extremists (LWEs) have been killed, 836 members arrested, and 1,639 cadres have voluntarily surrendered and rejoined the mainstream. The surrendered Naxalites include one member of the polit bureau and a Central Committee member, while those killed include the CPI (Maoist) General Secretary and eight other polit bureau members.

The reduction in the number of “most-affected” districts is part of a larger trend of decreasing Naxal influence across the country. The government highlighted that areas which once faced widespread violence, including attacks on security forces and extortion of local populations, have seen a visible decline in extremist activity.

National Action Plan and Policy

The government attributes this success to the rigorous implementation of the National Action Plan and Policy against Left-Wing Extremism. These frameworks emphasize intelligence-based operations, increased coordination among security agencies, development initiatives in affected areas, and the integration of surrendered cadres into mainstream society.

The statement explained that the plan’s strategy balances tactical enforcement with socio-economic development. Counter-LWE operations are carefully planned to avoid collateral damage and include measures to protect civilians and tribal populations. Simultaneously, development projects in infrastructure, education, and healthcare are expanded in previously Naxal-dominated regions, reducing the appeal of extremist ideology.

Government’s Vision for a Naxal-Free India

The Narendra Modi-led NDA government has made it a priority to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism entirely by the end of March 2026. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the reduction in affected districts and the retreat of Naxals represent significant steps toward realizing this vision.

“In a giant stride towards the Modi government’s vision of building a Naxal-free Bharat, the number of districts most affected by Naxalism has been brought down to three from six,” the MHA said in an official release.

Looking Ahead

While the government’s statistics reflect a remarkable turnaround, officials acknowledge that continued vigilance is essential. Security agencies remain deployed in affected districts, and measures to prevent a resurgence of extremist activity are ongoing. The focus is now on consolidating gains, ensuring the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres, and sustaining development programs in previously conflict-ridden regions.

Experts note that the retreat of Naxalism also reflects a broader strategy of combining hard security measures with soft power initiatives, such as welfare schemes and community engagement, which have helped diminish support for extremist ideologies among local populations.

The reduction of Left-Wing Extremism in India represents not only a victory for security forces but also an opportunity for economic growth, better governance, and social development in historically marginalized areas. With only three districts classified as “most affected,” the government maintains that it is on track to eliminate Naxalism entirely within the targeted timeline, thereby strengthening India’s internal security and promoting long-term stability in the region.