Guwahati, Feb 21: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that Naxalism will be completely eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026, expressing full confidence in the capabilities of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Addressing the 87th CRPF Raising Day Parade in Guwahati held in the Northeast for the first time in the force’s 86-year history as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, Shah lauded the CRPF for its decisive role in combating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, curbing insurgency in the Northeast and weakening Maoist networks in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas. He said incidents of stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir have dropped to zero and credited the force for maintaining peace following the abrogation of Article 370.
The Home Minister highlighted the success of the 21-day ‘Operation Black Forest’ conducted in April-May 2025 in the Karregutta Hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, where 31 Naxals were neutralized. He said CRPF personnel operated in extreme conditions, braving temperatures of 46°C to dismantle Maoist strongholds.
Shah noted that over a decade ago, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalism and insurgency in the Northeast were major security challenges, but today these regions are moving steadily on the path of peace and development. He paid tribute to 2,270 CRPF personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, including 780 in Naxal-affected areas, 700 in the Northeast and 540 in Jammu and Kashmir.
For the first time, the CRPF Raising Day Parade was organised in Assam, which Shah described as a moment of pride for the entire Northeast. On the occasion, he conferred Gallantry Medals on 15 personnel and awarded six officers with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Trophies were also presented to the best-performing battalions.
CRPF Director General G P Singh also reiterated that Naxalism would be eliminated by the government’s deadline. The parade at Sarusajai Stadium featured eight contingents from across the country, including women personnel, RAF and CoBRA units, and concluded with tactical demonstrations such as jungle warfare drills and simulated hostage rescue operations.
The CRPF was originally raised in 1939 as the Crown Representative’s Police and was renamed the Central Reserve Police Force in 1949 after Independence. (KNC)
