Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel at the Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on November 8, highlighting what he described as India’s victory in its decades-long battle against Naxalism. During his visit, the Prime Minister thanked security personnel for their sacrifices and said the country was celebrating its first Diwali after overcoming Maoist violence, with every district now free from Naxalism.
PM Modi interacted with CRPF jawans, distributed sweets and joined the celebrations with personnel who spend important festivals away from their families while serving in difficult conditions. Sharing photographs from the visit on social media, he wrote, “Diwali is sweeter with those who protect us!”
The visit was significant as Bastar was once among the strongest centres of Maoist activity in India. The CoBRA base at Karanpur served as an important training facility and launch point for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad.
Addressing personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), state police and Bastar Fighters commandos, PM Modi said he had travelled to the region to express the gratitude of 140 crore Indians.
He recalled his earlier Diwali celebrations with security personnel in Kargil, Lepcha in the Himalayas, Sir Creek and aboard INS Vikrant. Describing the jawans as members of his extended family, he said their contribution to protecting the country’s borders and maintaining internal security was invaluable.
PM Modi declares victory against Naxalism
In his address, the Prime Minister described Diwali 2026 as particularly special because India had overcome its decades-long battle against Maoist terror. He said every district in the country was now free from Naxalism, allowing millions of people to celebrate festivals without the fear and uncertainty that had affected several regions for years.
PM Modi also highlighted an important achievement involving the CRPF. He said that, for the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF personnel had lost their life while on duty during the preceding year. He attributed the development to the government’s security policies, operational decisions and the determination of security forces.
Recalling the spread of Left-Wing Extremism, Modi said Naxalism had once affected more than 230 districts across nearly 20 states. The insurgency disrupted daily life, restricted people’s movement and affected access to education, healthcare and other essential services.
He referred to the 2010 Dantewada attacks in Chhattisgarh, recalling that 76 CRPF personnel were killed in one attack and 44 civilians lost their lives in another incident that year. He said such violence continued for decades, leaving families devastated and several villages isolated.
The Prime Minister credited intelligence-led operations, action against Maoist funding networks and improved coordination among security agencies for weakening the insurgency. He also said security forces had been given greater operational freedom to take necessary decisions during counter-Naxal operations.
PM warns against intellectual Naxalism
While declaring victory over armed Naxalism, Modi cautioned that the threat had not completely disappeared. He used the term “intellectual Naxals” or “Dimagi Naxals” to describe individuals whom he accused of influencing political parties and organisations and provoking people against the Constitution and democracy.
He stated that armed Naxalites had disappeared from forests, but ideological supporters continued to operate in different institutions. The Prime Minister urged people to identify and oppose what he described as this continuing threat.
His remarks added a political dimension to the Diwali address, which was primarily focused on recognising the contribution of security personnel. He also criticised previous governments, alleging that they had failed to take adequate action against Maoist violence.
Development push in Naxal-affected regions
He said the fight against Naxalism was not limited to security operations and that development initiatives had played an equally important role in transforming affected areas.
According to the Prime Minister, more than 15,000 kilometres of roads had been constructed in Left-Wing Extremism-affected regions. The government had also installed over 9,500 mobile towers and established nearly 175 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, around 50 Industrial Training Institutes and 50 skill development centres.
He said better connectivity, education, healthcare, banking facilities and employment opportunities had helped local communities become part of the country’s development process.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the Bastar Olympics, a sporting initiative aimed at encouraging young people to participate in sports and explore opportunities beyond their villages. He said children in the region were increasingly choosing education and sports instead of growing up amid violence.
He also referred to the rehabilitation of surrendered Naxalites and efforts to bring electricity, drinking water and roads to remote tribal villages. He said these initiatives had helped build confidence among communities that had experienced years of conflict.
PM Modi links poverty reduction with security
The Prime Minister connected India’s progress in reducing poverty with its fight against Naxalism. Referring to a World Bank report, he claimed that around 50 crore Indians had moved out of extreme poverty over the preceding 12 years.
He highlighted welfare programmes such as Jan Dhan bank accounts, PM Awas Yojana, Mudra loans, Ayushman Bharat, free foodgrain distribution, Swachh Bharat and Har Ghar Jal.
According to PM Modi, Maoist groups had obstructed development by targeting schools, hospitals, mobile towers, railway infrastructure and industries in affected regions. He said improving access to essential services and creating employment opportunities were important to preventing young people from joining extremist groups.
Concluding his address, he said the achievements against Naxalism and poverty should be viewed as the beginning of a larger national journey. He expressed confidence that India would achieve its goals of becoming a developed, self-reliant and drug-free nation.
