BHUBANESWAR: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday hailed the country’s security forces for decisively curbing Naxal activities, declaring that the long-held ambition of extremists to establish a “red corridor” stretching from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to Pashupati in Nepal will be permanently crushed by March 31. Speaking at the 57th raising day celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Mundali in Cuttack district, Shah reaffirmed the Narendra Modi government’s resolve to eliminate left-wing extremism (LWE) by March 31 and strengthen India’s internal security framework.
“Naxal-free India is the resolve of Narendra Modi govt. I want to reassure the citizens of this country that by March 31, the LWE will be completely wiped out. By completely defeating those who dream of a red corridor from Tirupati to Pashupati, our security forces will establish their dominance,” Shah said in a strong and declarative statement. The home minister described the current phase as a historic turning point in India’s fight against Naxalism. He credited the security forces for their unwavering dedication, noting that despite facing multiple challenges, they carried out difficult operations with determination and discipline. Shah praised their ability to execute tough orders “with a smiling face,” underscoring their morale and resilience. Shah’s remarks come at a time when the government has intensified its campaign against Naxal groups, with security forces reporting significant gains in recent months. Shah also lauded the CISF’s role in anti-Maoist operations. “Be it Odisha, Chhattisgarh or Telangana, CISF played a key role in our fight against LWE,” Shah said. The CISF raising day event also highlighted the Central armed police force’s role in safeguarding critical infrastructure and maintaining national security.
