Amit Shah Arrives in Raipur for Intensive Three-Day Visit on Security and Development
Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Saturday, commencing a significant three-day visit to the state. His itinerary is packed with high-stakes security deliberations and cultural engagements, underscoring the Centre's dual focus on combating extremism and fostering regional development.
Marathon Security Review on Left Wing Extremism
On Sunday, Shah chaired an extensive, over six-hour-long high-level review meeting dedicated to Left Wing Extremism (LWE). The session, which began around 11 am, brought together a formidable assembly of security officials. Attendees included additional chief secretaries (home) from LWE-affected states, directors general of police from Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand, alongside senior intelligence operatives and top commanders of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The discussions centered on executing a final push to eliminate the residual Maoist presence before the Centre's stringent deadline of March 31. Security agencies estimate that approximately 150 Maoist cadres remain active, primarily hiding in dense forested regions and showing reluctance to surrender. Intelligence reports indicate a notable shift in their operational tactics; these remaining cadres are now functioning in small, fragmented groups of four to five individuals, a stark departure from earlier years when they moved in larger formations of 20 to 40.
Evolving Challenges in Counter-Insurgency Operations
Many of these cadres have reportedly abandoned uniforms and weapons, blending into local villages as agricultural laborers or daily-wage workers. Some have even suspended armed movements entirely. This strategic adaptation has significantly complicated intelligence-gathering and tracking efforts for security forces.
Key agenda items during the review meeting included:
- Enhancing inter-state coordination and intelligence-sharing mechanisms
- Optimizing force deployment in border areas and dense forest zones
- Strengthening logistics support for forward-operating units
Officials noted that while anti-Naxal operations continue daily, the decline in actionable intelligence following large-scale surrenders has led to a reduction in encounter-related fatalities. This paradox has made the detection and neutralization of the remaining cadres increasingly challenging.
Recent Security Incidents and Financial Allocations
The meeting also reviewed recent security inputs, including an intercepted attempt to transport explosives from Odisha's Jeypore towards Bijapur. In this incident, Maoists allegedly hired a pickup vehicle, which was stopped by security forces before reaching its destination. Authorities seized around 4,000 cordex wires and gelatin sticks, which were purportedly intended for planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the Karegutta forested hills and parts of south Bastar.
Shah issued clear directives to security forces to maintain operational intensity until the very last moment, cautioning against any complacency despite the weakening Maoist network. This review occurs against the backdrop of enhanced financial support from the Centre. The Union government has approved a 20% increase in allocations for LWE-affected regions, raising the outlay to over ₹30,000 crore. This funding emphasizes ensuring last-mile delivery of central welfare and development schemes in previously inaccessible areas.
Arrival and Additional Engagements
Shah arrived at Raipur airport nearly 45 minutes ahead of schedule and was warmly received by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, along with several MPs and MLAs. From the airport, he proceeded directly to a hotel in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, where he held preliminary meetings with the chief minister and senior state officials.
Later on Sunday, Shah attended a national conclave titled 'Chhattisgarh @ 25: Shifting the Lens', organized by a private weekly magazine. On Monday, the Union Home Minister will travel to Jagdalpur to serve as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum 2026. He is scheduled to return to Delhi on Monday evening, concluding his impactful visit.
