New Delhi:

In an exclusive interview with New Delhi TV, Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated that the BJP’s mission is to eliminate left-wing extremism in India within one to two years. Mr Shah’s statement came after clashes between security forces and Maoists in Chhattisgarh state left 29 left-wing extremists dead, including a senior rebel leader Shankar Rao. The reward amount is Rs 25 lakh. .

“BJP’s commitment to fight Naxalism has not changed. It is not democratic and should be eradicated. I, Prime Minister Modi and everyone call for those who lay down their arms to be welcomed. But if you take up arms, you will get The response from the security forces,” Mr Shah told New Delhi TV

Tuesday’s clash took place in Hapatola forest near Binagunda village in Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. A joint operation by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of the state police triggered a fierce gun battle. Three security personnel, two from the BSF and one from the DRG, were injured, highlighting the intensity of the clashes.

“The Congress called the encounter a fake. When the Congress came to power in Chhattisgarh, no action was taken against the Naxalites. Within 90 days, our government launched an operation and 87 Naxalite were killed, 123 Naxalites were arrested and 253 surrendered,” Mr. added.

Chhattisgarh has seen a surge in active counter-insurgency operations since Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s government came to power in December 2023.

“At the rate things are going, Naxalism will be eradicated from India within a year or two,” the home minister said.

Tuesday’s operation in Kanker added to the total of 79 Maoists killed this year in separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, which covers seven districts including Kanker area.