HM Amit Shah felicitates police officers for role in making Telangana LWE-free
Hyderabad, May 18
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday felicitated police officers who played a key role in making Telangana a Left-Wing Extremism-free state. At a special event held in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, he honoured police officers who played a pivotal role in combating Maoist activities in insurgency-affected regions
Senior Telangana Police officers who contributed significantly to suppressing Left-Wing Extremism and making Telangana an LWE-free state were among those honoured for their exemplary service and contribution.
Telangana Director General of Police C.V. Anand, State Security Advisor B. Shivadhar Reddy, DGP Operations (OCTOPUS & Greyhounds) Dr Anil Kumar, and Malkajgiri Commissioner and former SIB IGP Sumati, along with the SIB team led by her, were felicitated during the event.
According to a statement issued by the DGP's office, Amit Shah congratulated the officers for their outstanding efforts and dedicated service in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Home Minister reaffirmed the Central government's commitment to eliminating Left-Wing Extremism from the country and building an LWE-free society.
He revealed that during an internal review meeting held in January 2024, a target date of March 31, 2026, had been set for the complete eradication of LWE from the country.
"When we took this decision, many privately expressed doubts about whether such a goal could be achieved. However, we moved forward with a clear vision and a well-defined strategy. Today, with the blessings of Goddess Danteshwari, I am delighted to announce that the Bastar region has been declared Naxal-free," the statement quoted him as saying.
He described Chhattisgarh becoming free from the menace of Naxalism as a historic milestone in India's prolonged battle against Left-Wing Extremism.
The Home Minister said the country had endured the challenge of Naxalism for nearly three generations -- from the 1970s till March 31, 2026. He noted that Naxal-affected regions had witnessed bloodshed, developmental stagnation and uncertainty over the future of youth for decades.
HM Amit Shah further said personnel from nearly every state had made supreme sacrifices in the fight against LWE and stressed that the achievement had become possible only because of their dedication and sacrifice.
He remarked that LWE was never confined to a single region and had remained a matter of concern across the country, including his home state of Gujarat.
Expressing satisfaction over the achievement, HM Amit Shah said what was once considered an impossible goal had been achieved through the coordinated efforts, determination and perseverance of security forces and governments working together.
Several senior officials from the Central and state governments, along with representatives of various security agencies, attended the programme.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I've been following the LWE elimination efforts closely. The government's target of March 2026 seems ambitious but they've shown real progress - declaring Bastar Naxal-free is huge. But my only concern is whether the social and economic triggers that fuel extremism are being addressed alongside the security operations. We need both - strong policing AND genuine development.
Hat's off to C.V. Anand and the entire Telangana police team! Having lived in Gadchiroli during the worst Naxal years, I understand what this victory means. The coordinated strategy between central forces, state police, and local intelligence has been remarkable. And HM Shah's clarity on the timeline shows this wasn't a fluke but planned execution. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Impressive achievement. As someone who has studied conflict resolution in India, I think the key here was the combination of counter-insurgency operations with infrastructure development. The 'Octopus' and 'Greyhounds' forces have done phenomenal work in difficult terrain. March 2026 deadline seems reachable if current momentum is maintained. Well deserved recognition for the officers.
My father was a school teacher in a Naxal-affected area of Telangana in the 90s. He used to tell stories of fear - schools used as camps, teachers threatened. Seeing this transformation is emotional. But I hope the government doesn't just claim victory - we need to ensure police presence remains, jobs reach the youth, and tribals get land rights. The fight is won on the ground, not just in Delhi.
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