• PM Modi says every district in India is now free from Naxalism.
• He cites the first year in 47 years without a CRPF jawan dying on duty.
• Development initiatives include 15,000 km of roads and over 9,500 mobile towers.
• Modi links the fight against Naxalism with poverty reduction and the Bastar Olympics.

GG News Bureau
Bastar, 8th Nov: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday described Naxal-free India as a major national milestone while celebrating Diwali with security personnel at the CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur, Bastar, Chhattisgarh. He thanked the forces for their sacrifice and service, saying the 2026 festival marked the first Diwali after every district in the country became free from Naxalism.

Addressing personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, state police forces and other security units, PM Modi recalled his earlier Diwali visits to Kargil, the Himalayas, Sir Creek and INS Vikrant. He said the personnel guarding the country’s borders and maintaining internal security were part of his family.

The Prime Minister said the country had witnessed a major change in its fight against Left-Wing Extremism. Recalling a period when Naxal violence affected more than 230 districts across nearly 20 states, he cited attacks, casualties among security personnel and civilians, and the disruption of public life in affected regions.

PM Modi said that, for the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF jawan had lost their life while on duty during the past year. He attributed the achievement to what he described as the government’s sound policies, firm resolve and the courage and restraint of security personnel.

He also said the government had taken steps to disrupt Naxal funding networks, restrict the supply of weapons and give security forces operational freedom. According to the Prime Minister, security operations were combined with public service and development initiatives to improve the lives of people in affected areas.

Highlighting these efforts, PM Modi cited the construction of more than 15,000 kilometres of roads, over 9,500 mobile towers, nearly 175 Eklavya schools, around 50 ITIs and 50 Skill Development Centres in Left-Wing Extremism-affected regions. He also referred to the expansion of post offices, bank branches, ATMs and basic facilities in remote tribal villages.

The Prime Minister linked the fight against Naxalism with poverty reduction, referring to a World Bank report that, according to him, showed 50 crore Indians had moved out of extreme poverty over the past 12 years. He cited schemes such as Jan Dhan, PM Awas Yojana, Mudra, SVANidhi, Ayushman Bharat, free ration distribution, Swachh Bharat and Har Ghar Jal as part of the government’s welfare efforts.

Referring to the Bastar Olympics, PM Modi said children in the region were now participating in sports instead of being drawn towards violence. He described the event as a symbol of the changes taking place in the region.

The Prime Minister said the achievements were a beginning rather than an endpoint and called on security personnel and citizens to work towards a Drug-Free, Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat. He concluded his address by extending Diwali greetings and saying the sacrifices of security personnel would help build the foundation of a developed India.