New Delhi, February 5: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Chhattisgarh from February 7-9 to assess the Naxal situation, a key step toward the Centre’s goal of eliminating Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026. Shah will arrive in Raipur on February 7 for meetings with senior officials to review administrative and security preparedness.

The visit is significant as Chhattisgarh, particularly the Bastar region, remains severely impacted by Naxal violence. On February 8, Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting with officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, state government, police, and central forces. Discussions will focus on ongoing anti-Naxal operations, intelligence sharing, and development initiatives. The Centre’s intensified operations have led to a decline in violence, casualties, and LWE’s geographical spread.

Shah has set a deadline to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026, emphasizing a dual strategy of security action and accelerated development. Later, Shah will attend the 'Chhattisgarh @ 25: Shifting the Lens' conclave in Raipur before visiting Jagdalpur for the Bastar Pandum Mahotsav.

Recent data from the MHA shows significant progress in curbing LWE, with affected districts reducing from 126 in 2018 to just eight in 2025. Violence-related incidents and deaths have also drastically decreased. As security improves, the government continues focusing on socio-economic transformation in these regions.

The government’s strategy includes the establishment of 229 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) across six states to strengthen security in Naxal-affected areas, with the highest concentration in Chhattisgarh. These bases are crucial to the ongoing efforts to counter Naxalism and ensure lasting peace.