New Delhi:

At least 80 Maoists have been killed in Chhattisgarh state so far this year, more than 125 have been arrested and 150 others have surrendered, officials said today. Two days ago, 29 extremists were shot dead in fierce clashes with security forces in the area.

According to the Union Home Ministry, there was a 52% reduction in left-wing extremism-related violence in the country in 2014-23 compared with 2004-14, with the death toll falling by 69% from 6,035 to 1,868.

An official said that since the formation of the Vishnu Deo Sai government in Chhattisgarh in December 2023, we have launched aggressive operations and at least 80 Maoists have been neutralized and more than 125 arrested since January, 150 men have surrendered. explain.

Late last year, after a detailed review of the security situation in Maoist-affected states, Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed security forces to take active action against the Maoists.

Shah’s directive led to the formation of a high-level committee that included the Director General of Police, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Intelligence Bureau. Officials of the Anti-Maoist Grid.

The official said the results of the aggressive campaign against the Maoists are now showing on the ground.

Security personnel shot dead 29 Maoists, including some senior members, in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district on Tuesday in the largest-ever clashes in the state.

This is the highest death toll among Maoists in a single battle in the history of the country’s fight against left-wing extremism (LWE).

During the fierce gun battle, three security personnel were injured and a large number of weapons were seized.

Since 2014, security forces have begun setting up camps in Maoist-dominated areas. More than 250 such camps were set up after 2019, ending the security vacuum.

According to Home Office figures, LWE incidents dropped from 14,862 to 7,128 in 2004-14 compared with 2014-23.

The number of security personnel killed by left-wing extremism fell by 72% from 1,750 in 2004-14 to 485 in 2014-23, while civilian deaths fell by 68% from 4,285 to 1,383.

In 2010, the number of districts with violent incidents was 96. By 2022, that number dropped 53% to 45. At the same time, the number of police stations reporting violent incidents fell from 465 in 2010 to 176 in 2022.

Over the past five years, more than 5,000 post offices have been set up in 90 districts with a presence of Maoists or extremists.

Officials said 1,298 bank branches have been opened and 1,348 ATMs are operational in the 30 worst-affected areas.

In Maoist-hit areas, 4,885 mobile towers were constructed at a cost of Rs 2,690 crore and 9,356 km of roads were constructed at a cost of Rs 10,718 crore.

Officials said 121 Eklavya boarding schools, 43 ITIs and 38 skill development centers have been set up to attract local youth.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)