Bastar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel at the CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur, Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, on November 8, 2026. The visit carried particular significance as the Prime Minister described this year’s festival as the first Diwali since every district in the country had become free from Naxalism.
During his interaction with the personnel, Modi expressed gratitude for their sacrifices and credited their courage, operational commitment and restraint for the progress made in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). He also distributed sweets among the jawans to mark the festival.
The Karanpur facility has served as a training base and launch point for counter-Naxal operations in the Bastar region and Abujhmad, areas that were once major centres of Maoist activity.
PM Highlights Milestone in India’s Fight Against Naxalism
Addressing personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, India Reserve Battalions, state police forces and specialised units such as Bastar Fighters, Modi said the 2026 Diwali marked a significant turning point in the country’s internal security landscape.
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He said the government had come a long way from a period when Left-Wing Extremism affected more than 230 districts across nearly 20 states.
The Prime Minister also highlighted a milestone in the CRPF’s operational record, stating that for the first time in 47 years, no CRPF personnel had lost their life while on duty during the preceding year. He attributed this to the government’s security approach and the determination, courage and restraint of security personnel.
How the Government Says Its Strategy Changed
Modi contrasted the security situation before and after 2014, arguing that a combination of stronger political resolve, targeted operations and measures to disrupt Maoist financing and supply networks had changed the course of the fight against Naxalism.
He said security forces had been given operational freedom to take necessary decisions, while efforts were also made to prevent young people from taking up arms and to ensure that families did not lose their loved ones to violence.
The Prime Minister emphasised that security operations were accompanied by development initiatives intended to improve the lives of people in areas affected by Naxalism.
Development Push in Former Naxal-Affected Areas
Pointing to the link between development and internal security, Modi said the government had undertaken infrastructure and public-service initiatives in Left-Wing Extremism-affected regions.
Some of the figures highlighted by the Prime Minister included:
- More than 15,000 kilometres of roads constructed in affected areas.
- Over 9,500 mobile towers installed to improve connectivity.
- Nearly 175 Eklavya Model Residential Schools established.
- Around 50 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 50 Skill Development Centres set up.
- Expansion of post offices, bank branches and ATMs in remote areas.
- Improved access to water, electricity and roads in tribal villages, including through PM JANMAN.
He said these interventions had helped bring essential services closer to communities that had remained isolated for years.
PM Connects Naxalism-Free India with Poverty Reduction
The Prime Minister also referred to India’s progress in poverty reduction, citing a World Bank report which, according to him, indicated that around 50 crore people had moved out of extreme poverty over the past 12 years.
He linked this progress to welfare measures such as Jan Dhan accounts, PM Awas Yojana, Mudra loans, PM SVANidhi, Ayushman Bharat, free foodgrain distribution, Swachh Bharat and Har Ghar Jal.
Describing the Bastar Olympics as an example of the region’s changing environment, Modi said children were increasingly participating in sports instead of being drawn towards violence.
Security Personnel’s Sacrifice Acknowledged
The Prime Minister acknowledged the contribution of personnel deployed to protect the country’s internal security, including CRPF and CoBRA jawans, border guarding forces, state police units, Bastar Fighters commandos and women personnel.
He said the sacrifices made by security forces had helped create conditions for peace and development in regions once affected by prolonged violence.
Concluding his address, Modi urged security personnel and citizens to build on the progress achieved and work towards the goals of a drug-free, self-reliant and developed India.
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