NEW DELHI, April 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced a significant milestone in India’s fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), commonly known as Naxalism, revealing that the number of districts most affected by the insurgency has dropped from 12 to just 6.

Shah shared this update in a post on X, highlighting the Modi government’s “ruthless approach” to eliminating Naxalism and reaffirming the country’s commitment to fostering development in all regions. He stated, “The Modi government is determined to build a Sashakt, Surakshit, and Samriddh Bharat with relentless efforts for all-encompassing development and a firm stance against Naxalism,” further noting the goal of a Naxalism-free India by 31st March 2026.

The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that the total number of districts affected by Naxalism had been 38, with the number of “most affected” districts now reduced to 6. These districts include four in Chhattisgarh (Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma), one in Jharkhand (West Singhbhum), and one in Maharashtra (Gadchiroli). Alongside this, the number of “Districts of Concern,” which require more resources, has fallen from 9 to 6, including districts in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. Additionally, the number of “Other LWE-affected Districts,” where Naxal activity persists to a lesser degree, has dropped from 17 to 6, covering parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Telangana.

To aid in the development and recovery of these districts, the government provides financial support through the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme, allocating Rs. 30 crore to the most affected districts and Rs. 10 crore to those categorized as “Districts of Concern.” Special projects designed to meet the specific needs of these areas are also funded by the central government to help fill gaps in public infrastructure and facilitate growth.