Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on October 16, 2025, that the Abujhmarh hilly forests and adjoining North Bastar in Chhattisgarh are now Naxal-free, after 170 Maoist cadres surrendered to authorities. The move was hailed as a “landmark day” in India’s decades-long battle against left-wing extremism. 

Shah highlighted that in the last two days, a total of 258 extremists laid down arms—27 in Chhattisgarh the previous day, and 61 in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district—bringing the insurgents back into the constitutional fold. He asserted that Naxalism is now in “its last breaths” and reaffirmed the Centre’s target of eliminating it by March 31, 2026.

Still, Shah warned that those who continue to wield weapons will face the full force of security operations. He appealed to remaining militants to surrender and rejoin society, promising rehabilitation under government policy.

Analysts caution that while this is a major symbolic and operational gain, challenges remain—particularly in ensuring that governance, development, and security follow through in these previously conflict-controlled areas.