Development to Gain New Momentum in Naxal-Free MP : CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that Madhya Pradesh endured the scourge of Naxalism for nearly 35 years. It was a major challenge, but due to the State Government’s rehabilitation policy and the commitment of the personnel involved in anti-Naxal operations, Naxalism was completely wiped off the map of the state on 11 December 2025. This day will be written as a golden chapter in the history of the state. He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, completely eradicating Naxalism from the soil of Madhya Pradesh is the biggest achievement of our government. Naxalism and red terror were obstacles to development-oriented activities in every part of the country and created an atmosphere of fear among ordinary citizens. Therefore, uprooting Naxals and Naxalism from the roots was the government’s top priority. Police officers and personnel facilitated the surrender of the last two Naxals in Balaghat, and Madhya Pradesh gave the farewel   to “Lal Salaam.” Now, the affected areas will receive a new direction and a new pace of development.

The Chief Minister said that eliminating the decades-old problem of Naxalism was absolutely essential to accelerate development in the state. Madhya Pradesh achieved this historic milestone nearly three and a half months before the deadline set by Union Home Minister Shri Shah for eliminating Naxalism from the country. In the MMC Zone (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh), 42 Naxalites surrendered within 42 days and chose to join the mainstream of development. In the state, 10 hardcore Maoists were killed in encounters in the year 2025. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav credited this success to the brave police officers of the state and the central security forces.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the government has formulated a special scheme for the rehabilitation of all surrendering Naxalites. Along with this, a system will now be developed in the state to ensure that Naxalite or other extremist movements do not re-emerge on the soil of Madhya Pradesh. Necessary coordination is also being carried out with all neighboring states for this purpose.

It is noteworthy that Naxalite activities began in Madhya Pradesh during 1988–90. The Naxalites intimidated and harassed ordinary citizens and also created obstacles in government development works. They even set police buses on fire. During the tenure of an opposition party government, Naxalites abducted and publicly murdered former minister Shri Likhiram Kawre from his home in Balaghat district. The struggle against Naxalites continued for a long 35 years , during which many civilians and personnel of the police and security forces lost their lives.

Key Facts of Anti-Naxal Campaign

• Naxalite activities began in Madhya Pradesh between 1988 and 1990. Mandla, Dindori and Balaghat were Naxal-affected districts.
• The state government sanctioned 850 posts for special auxiliary units for the Naxal-affected districts of Balaghat, Mandla and Dindori.
• To provide Naxalites an opportunity to lay down arms and rejoin normal life, the state government launched the “Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation” campaign.
• Influenced by this rehabilitation policy, in December 2025, 10 Naxalites carrying a total bounty of about ₹2.36 crore surrendered at Police Lines, Balaghat.
• On 11 December 2025, Madhya Pradesh achieved the historic distinction of becoming Naxal-free by ending 35 years of red terror.
• In 2025, during anti-Naxal operations, 13 hardcore Naxalites were killed and one was arrested in 16 encounters/exchanges of fire.
• In an encounter in Balaghat in June 2025, four Naxalites were killed, including three women. Automatic weapons and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from them.
• Chief Minister Dr. Yadav visited Balaghat and honored the police personnel and officers involved in eliminating Naxalites by granting them promotions.
• In the anti-Naxal campaign, personnel of the state police and central security forces displayed indomitable courage and bravery and eradicated a decades-old problem of Naxalism.