Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the end of Maoist terror is a victory of the country's policies and political will.
He spoke while celebrating Diwali with security personnel at a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh.
Bastar was once the main centre of Left-Wing Extremism, also known as Naxalism.
Today, it has seen major changes after security operations, surrenders and development work.
Key points
- Modi says armed Maoists have been eliminated from the forests.
- The government had announced on March 31 this year that India was free of Naxalism.
- Modi warned of "dimagi Naxals," his term for ideological supporters of Naxalites.
- No CRPF jawan died in the line of duty over the past year, the first time in 47 years.
So what did the government do to end Naxalism?
Modi said the government's decisions dealt a big blow to the funding networks of Naxalites and secessionists.
He also said decisions had targeted fake currency networks and cut the supply lines of these groups.
Modi said earlier governments had tied the hands of security forces.
He said security forces now have the freedom to take all necessary decisions.
Why does Modi say the threat is not over?
Modi said that although armed Naxalites have disappeared from the forests, their ideological supporters remain active.
He claimed these supporters have infiltrated several political parties and organisations.
He said they are instigating people against the Constitution and democracy.
In his Independence Day address in August, Modi had also raised the same warning about these ideological supporters.
What happens next in the fight against Naxalism?
Modi said the country must identify and defeat such elements to secure the nation.
He said the fight against Maoist ideology must continue, even though the government has declared the country free of Naxalism.
Explainer
What happened before
- On March 31 this year, the government announced that India was free from the menace of Naxalism.
- Modi also referred to 'dimagi Naxals' in his Independence Day address in August.
Why it matters
The government says the armed Maoist threat has ended, but the Prime Minister warns that ideological supporters still pose a risk.
What to watch next
- Modi said such elements must be identified and defeated to secure the country.
