Home Minister Amit Shah’s acknowledgment of the government’s efforts in combating Naxalism in Chhattisgarh has garnered appreciation from Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who expressed gratitude via a tweet. Chief Minister Sai emphasised the government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the Naxal problem under Home Minister Amit Shah’s guidance, attributing the successful operations to the double engine government’s concerted efforts. Despite opposition attempts to politicise the issue, Chief Minister Sai reaffirmed their determination to continue the fight against Naxalism until its eradication, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

In an interview, Home Minister Amit Shah provided details of the recent Naxal operations, citing significant progress with 112 Naxalites killed, 5,400 surrendered, and 153 arrested in the last five months since the BJP government took office. He expressed confidence that the country would be free from Naxalism within the next few years. However, he criticised the Congress for labelling these encounters as fake, suggesting that the party’s misfortunes might be attributed to their own actions. Meanwhile, former Chhattisgarh Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu responded to Shah’s statement, highlighting the BJP government’s inconsistent approach to Naxalism, which fluctuates between talk of negotiations and actual military operations.

 

He raised concerns about the casualties among innocent civilians under the current administration, contrasting it with the zero casualties during their tenure. These remarks have sparked debates regarding the authenticity of encounters under the current government. Raipur MP Sunil Soni defended the government’s stance, asserting that BJP’s policy dictates a willingness to engage in dialogue only if violence ceases. He criticised Sahu’s lack of clarity on Naxalism during his tenure as Home Minister and emphasised the BJP’s commitment to achieving a Naxalite-free Chhattisgarh through decisive action. Soni urged against politicising the issue, emphasising the need to appreciate the government’s efforts in addressing this critical security challenge.