Naxalism nearing its end in Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis

During his visit to Gadchiroli, Fadnavis told reporters that the dominance of Naxalites in remote areas of the district was ending, and welcomed the move by top Naxal cadres to lay down their arms and turn themselves in.

Mumbai: Maharashtra is on the road to become free from the menace of Naxalism, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday as he spent the first day of the New Year in the Maoist-affected Gadchiroli district and even traveled in a public bus besides  conducting an aerial survey. 

“Naxalism is nearing its end in Maharashtra…Gadchiroli is not the last district, but first district,” he said. 

Fadnavis, who is also the state Home Minister, said that the Maoist dominance in many places in the district has ended.“North Gadchiroli has become completely Naxal free…South Gadchiroli too very soon would be Naxal free…and I am very sure about that,” Fadnavis said during his meetings  with Gadchiroli district and police officials and media interaction.

“In the last four to five years, there has not been any recruitment of Maoist cadres. Besides, several Naxal commanders have surrendered and this has completely broken the backbone of the outlawed movement,” the CM said. 

Fadnavis also hailed the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in coordinating with various states, ensuring joint operations and intelligence-sharing. 

“People have faith in the Constitution of India…no one wants to go against the Constitution,” said Fadnavis before whom 10 Naxalite commanders and cadres surrendered. “People no longer support Naxalites and not a single person was now willing to join the outlawed movement,” he said.

Besides, Fadnavis hailed the role of the Gadchiroli district administration and police including the C-60 commando unit in ending the menace of Naxalism and reaching out to people to join the mainstream. 

He interacted with officers and jawans of Gadchiroli police, C-60, SRPF and CRPF teams. 

On board a helicopter, Fadnavis conducted an aerial review of the Gatta-Gardewada-Todgatta-Wangeturi road and the Tadguda bridge in the district. 

Fadnavis inaugurated the 32-km-long Gatta-Gardewada-Wangeturi road and bus services of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) on Wangeturi-Gardewada-Gatta-Aheri route in the district. “People getting the MSRTC bus services after 75 years of Independence…its a very important day today,” he said about the route which would connect Maharashtra to Chhattisgarh. 

Fadnavis is the first CM to visit this remote area and celebrate the transformation of the region, once cut off for six months due to heavy rains and floods, and now embraces the flow of progress.

The CM also interacted with school children, who wished him saying - “Happy New Year, Sir”. 

The CM also visited police tents in Pengunda. 

He also inaugurated several facilities of Lloyds Metals in the district - which is being transformed as the second ‘Steel City’ of India after Jamshedpur.