Fadnavis noted that the Central government has set a nationwide target to eliminate Naxalism by 2026, and Maharashtra is “a step ahead” in meeting that goal
Pic/Maharashtra CMO
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said Maharashtra is on the brink of becoming “Naxalism-free,” crediting the state’s progress to sustained police action and development-focused policies.
Speaking at a review meeting of the state-level committee formed under the National Plan and Action Framework, Fadnavis noted that the Central government has set a nationwide target to eliminate Naxalism by 2026, and Maharashtra is “a step ahead” in meeting that goal.
Chairing the meeting at Vidhan Bhavan’s Council Hall, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to establish police outposts in the most remote, formerly Naxal-dominated areas and to ensure they are staffed adequately and equipped with essential facilities. Once an area is secured, he said, the government must follow up with welfare initiatives to integrate residents into the mainstream.
Fadnavis directed officials to organise programmes around newly established outposts to expand the reach of government schemes, create employment opportunities for local youth, support cultural activities, and boost the sale of local products by developing market access.
He added that the increase in the surrender of wanted Naxalites in recent years reflects the success of persistent police outreach. The Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite the pending Rs 1-crore reward for the Gadchiroli police, who played a key role in facilitating the surrender of several hardcore Naxalites. He also called for timely promotions for officers who have contributed significantly to dismantling Naxal networks.
Fadnavis further announced that construction of a new Superintendent of Police office building in Gadchiroli would begin soon, with funds to be made available immediately. Processes for procuring 33 new police vehicles should also be completed at the earliest, he said.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal; Additional Chief Secretaries O.P. Gupta (Finance), Manisha Mhaiskar (Public Works) and Milind Mhaiskar (Forest); Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla; Principal Secretary (Home) Anup Kumar Singh; Additional DGP (Special) Shiring Dorje; CRPF Additional DG Ajay Sharma; and other senior officers. DIG Ankit Goyal delivered a detailed presentation.
Symbolic pushback against naxalism
Officials highlighted a powerful symbol of the state’s gains against Naxal influence: a police outpost has now been established at Laheri in Bhamragad taluka — the same site where Naxalites had celebrated after killing 17 police personnel during a 2009 attack. The new outpost, they said, has strengthened local confidence in law enforcement and stands as evidence of the weakening Naxal presence.
Development as a counter-insurgency tool
The state is also ramping up infrastructure development in Gadchiroli district as part of its long-term anti-Naxal strategy. A 17.3-km road connecting Dhodraj, Nilgunda and Kavande is set to be constructed, along with bridges over the Korma stream and at Bedre, extending connectivity up to Bijapur. Another 750-metre bridge over the Indravati River on the Damaracha–Sandra route is also planned.
Telecom connectivity — long identified as crucial for security operations and economic integration — has seen a major boost in the district. While Gadchiroli had 271 mobile towers in 2022, an additional 521 towers have been installed between 2023 and 2025, officials said.
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