Hyderabad: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the government will completely eliminate Maoism from India by March next year. He made the remark during the Police Commemoration Day event in New Delhi on Monday.
Rajnath Singh confident of ending Maoism by March 2026
The Defence Minister said joint efforts by security forces have produced strong results in recent years. Moreover, he noted that forces neutralised several top Maoist leaders this year.
Therefore, the number of Maoist-affected districts has dropped sharply. “By March next year, we will make the remaining regions entirely Maoist-free. The nation now believes this threat will soon disappear,” he said.
Maoist-affected States showing rapid development
Singh recalled that Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra once faced intense Maoist violence. However, he said the situation has changed completely in the past few years.
“Areas once known as red corridors are now becoming growth corridors,” he said. In addition, he stated that new development projects—such as schools, colleges, hospitals, and roads—are transforming those regions. Consequently, living standards in these areas are improving steadily.
Coordination among forces drives success
The Defence Minister attended the event at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, which honours ten police personnel who died in the 1959 Hot Springs clash in Ladakh.
Meanwhile, he praised the coordination among police, CRPF, BSF, and local administrations in fighting Maoism. He said their teamwork and commitment turned a long-standing challenge into history.
Focus on police modernisation under Modi government
Singh said the Modi government continues to focus on police modernisation. Furthermore, he mentioned that officers now use advanced weapons, drones, surveillance systems, and forensic labs.
Besides, he added that new training and technology upgrades have strengthened internal security. “A strong nation grows only with a strong and modern police force,” he said.