PM Modi Expresses Pain Over Years of Maoist Violence
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed a major breakthrough in India’s fight against Left-Wing Extremism, announcing that over 300 Maoists surrendered within 24 hours, marking what he called a “historic step” toward ending decades of insurgency.
Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025, Modi grew emotional as he reflected on the “pain and anger” caused by Maoist violence that has claimed thousands of lives over five decades.
“For 50–55 years, Maoist terrorists killed thousands. They stopped schools, hospitals, doctors — even bombed institutions. Maoist terrorism was an injustice to young people,” he said.
“This is the first time I am expressing this pain to the world,” the Prime Minister added.
The summit was attended by global leaders including Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and former premiers Tony Abbott (Australia) and Rishi Sunak (UK).
Speaking at the #NDTVWorldSummit2025.@ndtv https://t.co/iQThIyApuD
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2025
PM Modi said his government’s outreach programs and rehabilitation measures have encouraged many disillusioned cadres to surrender. “Today, the nation is witnessing the results of these efforts,” he noted, highlighting that the surrendered militants included those with heavy bounties and large weapon stockpiles.
According to the Prime Minister, the number of Naxal-affected districts has fallen from 125 a decade ago to just 11 today.
His remarks followed a mass surrender of 170 Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, long seen as the epicentre of India’s Naxal conflict. Modi said the change in Bastar reflects a “new era of hope.”
“Earlier, headlines were about blasts and killings. Now, the youth of Bastar are hosting ‘Bastar Olympics’. This is the real transformation — today, they can celebrate Diwali in peace,” he said.
NDTV reported that the surrender was led by Central Committee member Rupesh alias Satish Kofa, who told the channel he now wants to “change the way of struggle for the people” rather than continue violence.
