New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a strong criticism of the Congress party while addressing the issue of Naxalism, asserting that the spread of the insurgency was linked to earlier political decisions and ideological support that allowed the movement to expand across several states.
Speaking about the situation in Bastar in Chhattisgarh, Shah stated that tribal communities were drawn toward Maoist ideology because government institutions failed to effectively reach and support them for many years. According to him, the absence of development and governance created conditions that allowed extremist groups to gain influence in remote regions.
He further traced the origins of the problem to earlier decades, alleging that the spread of Naxalism intensified during the tenure of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Shah argued that the ideological backing given during that period contributed to the growth of the movement. He claimed that the roots of Naxalism lay not in developmental demands but in a broader left wing ideological framework that gained momentum during the political developments of the 1970s.
At the height of the insurgency, Shah noted that the problem extended across several states including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra. These regions formed what became widely known as the “Red Corridor”, an area where Maoist groups held considerable influence for many years.
He described the situation during that period as one where governance had weakened significantly, leaving large sections of the population in poverty while thousands of young people were drawn into the conflict. Shah said that the prolonged violence resulted in heavy human losses, with estimates suggesting that nearly 20,000 young lives were lost over time.
The Home Minister also highlighted the operational strength of the insurgents, stating that a large share of their weapons came from attacks on security personnel. According to him, around 92 percent of the arms used by Naxal groups were reportedly looted from police forces during such encounters.
Shah maintained that the situation has changed considerably in recent years under the leadership of Narendra Modi. He said improved governance, focused development programmes and sustained security operations have significantly reduced the presence and influence of Naxal groups in several previously affected areas.
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