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Sharma called the achievement as “the last chapter of Naxalism” and praised the sacrifices of paramilitary and security forces that made it possible.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and state Home Minister Vijay Sharma. (PTI file photo)
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Sunday said the state is now completely free from “armed Naxalism” after two years of sustained government efforts.
Speaking to CNN-News18 in an exclusive interview from Raipur, Sharma called the achievement as “the last chapter of Naxalism” and praised the sacrifices of paramilitary and security forces that made it possible.
Sharma said the mission was the result of careful planning and political will. “The announcement in 2024 by Amit Shah was made when we all were present there, it feels like a mission that we all collectively have fought against and now, I can say that my state is 100% free from armed naxalism now after 2 years. Today I feel so proud of being a part of this ecosystem,” he said.
He added that the people of Bastar, once forced into violence, are now able to live without fear.
On why earlier governments failed to end the movement, Sharma pointed to strategic and operational changes introduced by the current administration.
“It is primarily because of the on-ground strategic changes that the BJP government has implemented. There are enhanced intelligence assessments which are made helping us very clearly identify which zones we need to work into,” the deputy CM noted.
He further explained that enhanced intelligence, the surrender of senior LWE leaders, and targeted operations against commanders helped dismantle the armed insurgency. “The turning point in this movement became the surrender of the big heads, paving a way for others to follow,” he said.
Sharma Slams Congress Over Past Inaction
Further criticising the Congress, Sharma said previous governments lacked the political will to end the movement.
“The workers or the System in Bastar and nearby affected areas hasn’t changed overnight. The ecosystem of governance there is the same as it was before. The only thing that has changed is the Government which had the willpower,” he said.
“The roadmap was prepared by Amit Shah for hours. We have materialised that roadmap on the ground because of the political willpower and here you see the result. If any government has the willpower, then the insurgency in the North East Can be eliminated, article 370 can be revoked, terror activities can also be stopped. It is the primary interest of the government that has made this achievable,” the deputy chief minister added.
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On ‘Urban Naxals’
While armed Naxalism may have ended, Sharma cautioned against the continued spread of extremist ideologies in urban areas, often called “urban Naxalism.”
“The idea or the concept of Naxalism is not just limited to the armed conflict but still silently present across the urban spaces, they feel happy that the country is weakening but I believe that this mindset will be countered by the electoral system that our country has,” he added.
Further criticising the “urban Naxals”, Sharma said these individuals have been “sitting in AC Bunglows in Delhi but they trained the innocent villagers to die for their ideology. They used to mislead the naive and uneducated into believing that they are working for the upliftment of the poor.”
The senior BJP leader also promised rapid development for Bastar and other affected areas, envisioning a future where residents can live and work peacefully along the Indravati river.
“I am assuring that the development of Bastar and the other Naxalism affected areas will be seen in the same speed as we have ended the armed conflict. I am making a promise that on the bank of Indravati river where one couldn’t even imagine going during the daytime, in the upcoming years, a common person will be able to enjoy a cup of tea in peace,” he said.
Chhura, India, India
March 29, 2026, 7:21 PM IST
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