Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel at a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Karanpur, located in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. During his address, he shared significant insights on national security and the ongoing battle against left-wing extremism. He emphasized that while armed Maoists have been largely eliminated from the forests, the threat of Naxalism has not entirely disappeared, and the nation now faces a new ideological challenge.
Strong Warning Against Ideological Naxals
Addressing the gathering, Narendra Modi alleged that ideological Naxals have deeply infiltrated various organizations and political parties. These elements continue to instigate citizens against the Constitution and the democratic framework of the country. He stressed that the nation must identify these elements, defeat them, and safeguard the country. Earlier, during his address on the 80th Independence Day on August 15, he had similarly warned that ideological supporters of left-wing extremism were constantly looking for opportunities to spread violence and anarchy.
Recalling Past Violence And The Dantewada Tragedy
Reflecting on the decades-long struggle against Maoist violence, Narendra Modi recalled that at one point, over 230 districts across nearly 20 states were affected by left-wing extremism. Normal life in these regions used to come to a standstill after sunset, impacting thousands of villages and crores of people, with nearly two thousand Naxal attacks occurring every year. Criticizing previous administrations, he pointed out that in 2010, close to Dantewada, 76 security personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force were martyred in a Naxal ambush, while another incident claimed the lives of 44 innocent citizens. He lamented that while the earth was soaked in the blood of brave soldiers, no prominent figures in positions of power shed a tear or expressed grief.
The 2004-2013 Era And Lack Of Political Will
Highlighting the period between 2004 and 2013, he noted that the number of security personnel martyred annually far exceeded the number of Naxals killed, with insurgent leaders celebrating these events as victories. He criticized past governments for treating Naxalism as an incurable disease and abandoning tribal families to their fate, accepting violence as an inevitable routine. Asserting that a nation cannot run on an indifferent mindset towards its enemies, he stated that decisive action and strong political willpower, which were lacking before 2014, helped transform the security landscape.
Turning The Tide And Empowering Security Forces
Detailing the changes witnessed after 2014, Narendra Modi pointed out a remarkable shift in official statistics and ground realities. For the first time in 47 years, not a single Central Reserve Police Force personnel lost their life in the line of duty over the past year. He credited this success to correct policies, robust political will, and the unmatched bravery, courage, and restraint of the security forces. He added that the government implemented stringent measures to dismantle the funding and fake currency networks of insurgents, effectively choking their supply lines, cutting off weapon deliveries, and curbing fresh recruitment. Furthermore, criticizing past restrictions placed on security personnel during ground operations, he stated that his administration granted full operational freedom to the forces to take necessary decisions and eliminated institutional backing for left-wing extremism.
