Endgame of red terror: How PM Modi rewrote India's security doctrine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Friday, "The day is not far away when India will be freed from red terror," calling Naxalism a sin against the nation.

- PRADEEP BHANDARI

He described Maoist extremism as an injustice to India's youth, reaffirming his government's unwavering resolve to eliminate it completely. His statement came as Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the historic surrender of 258 battle-hardened Left-Wing Extremists (LWES) in just two days-170 in Chhattisgarh, 27 earlier in Sukma, and 61 in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli.

The Prime Minister's words and data-backed declaration that Abujhmarh and North Bastar are now Naxal-free, mark a defining moment in India's internal security history. The Modi Doctrine-a blend of political will, developmental inclusion, and military precision-has brought India to the threshold of ending one of its longest-running internal conflicts.

RED TERROR TO NATIONAL RENEWAL

When the Modi government took office in 2014, Naxalism was India's gravest internal security threat. Over 120 districts across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra lived under Maoist shadow. Villages were terrorised, security forces ambushed, and governance crippled.

Prime Minister Modi changed the national mindset. He refused to treat Naxalism as a manageable disorder it was a national wound that had to be healed.

His government's approach integrated hard power with human development-roads with rights, bullets with books, and strength with sensitivity.

NUMBERS TELL THE STORY OF TRANSFORMATION

From 126 Naxal-affected districts in 2014, the figure has dropped to just 38.

Violent incidents have fallen by over half-from 1,091 in 2013 to 412 in 2023.

Civilian deaths are down by 86%, and security personnel casualties by 77%.

The kill ratio now heavily favours the forces-a complete reversal from a decade ago.