NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for vigilance against what he termed “dimaagi Naxals”, saying the country must isolate those who continue to promote Naxal ideology even as armed Maoist violence has declined sharply.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi said armed Naxalism was “breathing its last” but cautioned that ideological elements could continue to pose a challenge.
“Armed Naxals are gone, but ‘intellectual Naxals’ still lurking; we must be vigilant,” he said.
The Prime Minister recalled the prolonged impact of Naxalism and Maoism on several parts of the country, saying the insurgency had claimed thousands of lives and disrupted the future of young people and families.
He said eliminating Naxalism had been among the government’s priorities since the BJP-led government came to power in 2014.
“When you gave us the opportunity to serve in 2014, we resolved on that very day to free the country from Naxalism,” Modi said.
Highlighting the role of security forces, the Prime Minister said more than 3,500 police and security personnel had lost their lives while protecting civilians during the conflict.
He said the government had simultaneously strengthened security operations and expanded development initiatives in areas previously affected by Left-wing extremism.
“Today, I am happy to say that Naxalite and Maoist violence no longer has the strength to sustain itself and is breathing its last. We are moving towards completely eliminating it,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also pointed to changes in regions that were once considered strongholds of armed insurgency. According to him, areas that had earlier witnessed violence are now seeing greater government presence, development activity and public participation.
“Where the bullets of Naxalites once rang out, where the soil was once stained with blood, today the same Naxal-affected regions are witnessing the tricolour of development, trust and endeavour flying high,” he said.
Modi’s comments formed part of his broader Independence Day address, in which he outlined the government’s priorities and challenges as India works towards its ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.