Naxalism Nears Its End: CRPF Officer Predicts Historic Shift

A top CRPF officer stated that Naxalism is now limited to a few districts in Chhattisgarh and predicts its end within one and a half years. The anti-Maoist movement has significantly diminished, with previously affected states now declared Naxal-free.

A top officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) asserted on Monday that Naxalism is largely confined to only two or three districts in Chhattisgarh and will become history in the next one-and-a-half years.

According to Amit Kumar, Additional Director General (ADG) of the CRPF, which is engaged in anti-Maoist operations, the Naxal movement is in its last phase.

'The Naxalite movement is passing through its last phase. In the national scenario, except for two or three districts of Chhattisgarh, it is in complete control in all other areas,' Kumar told reporters.

Kumar was the chief guest at the passing out parade of a new batch of sub-inspectors at CRPF's Recruitment Training Centre in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, about 400km from state capital Bhopal.

He noted that other states, such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala, have now been declared Naxal-free. He added that only one Naxal group remains active in parts of one district in Jharkhand and a few districts in Chhattisgarh.

Kumar highlighted that there was a time when as many as 120 districts nationwide were affected by the armed Maoist movement. However, now, the influence of Naxalism has been confined to a few districts, marking a significant reduction.

'This [Naxalism] will be part of history in one to one-and-a-half years,' Kumar emphasised.

(With inputs from agencies.)