Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma shared a major update on Saturday (29th November) regarding the state’s security situation. He announced that 80% of Maoism has been completely removed from the state. According to Mr Sharma, the influence of Naxalism has shrunk significantly and is now limited to just a few small pockets.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister #VijaySharma on Saturday said that 80% of Maoism has been eliminated in the state and it is now confined to only a few pockets, reports @ShubhomoySikdar https://t.co/33H1nqAXkN pic.twitter.com/wApwZDwxZB
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) November 29, 2025
He specifically mentioned that the issue currently persists only in the western parts of Abhujmad and the southern areas of Sukma and Bijapur districts. Because of this progress, he stated that the people living in the Bastar region can finally breathe freely and live their lives without fear.
This statement from the Deputy CM comes right after a week where many Maoists surrendered in different districts of Bastar. Looking ahead, the Central government has set a clear deadline to finish Maoism by March 2026. Mr Sharma expressed confidence that the state will meet this target within the promised time.
He made an open offer to those still involved in Naxalism, saying that anyone who wants to give up arms and return to mainstream society is welcome. He assured that the government would take full responsibility for their rehabilitation and help them settle down.
However, Mr Sharma also gave a strict warning to those who refuse to surrender. He said that if anyone chooses to keep fighting and holding weapons, they will face a strong and appropriate response from the state’s well-equipped security forces. The armed forces will continue their operations to clear out the remaining pockets of influence.
When asked about the future of the Bastar once the Maoist problem is fully resolved, the Deputy CM emphasised the rights of the locals. He said the government firmly believes that the region’s ‘jal, jungle, zameen’ (water, forests, and land) belongs to the people of Bastar, and especially to the youth.
He noted that a strong feeling is growing that the young people of Bastar will shape the region’s future themselves. Pointing to the excitement seen during the ‘Bastar Olympics’ and the ‘Bastar Pandum’ festival, he said this enthusiasm proves the youth are ready to take charge. He also added that legal rules to give more power to gram sabhas would be put into action very soon.
