PM marks Diwali with security forces in Bastar, hails Naxal decline

The Prime Minister marked Diwali by visiting security personnel deployed in Bastar, one of India's most conflict-affected regions, in a move highlighting the government's assessment of improved security conditions in the zone historically plagued by Naxalite insurgency.

The visit underscored official claims that militant left-wing extremism has substantially weakened in the region, which spans parts of Chhattisgarh and neighboring states. Bastar has long served as a stronghold for Naxalite operations, with security forces conducting extensive counter-insurgency operations over several years.

The Prime Minister's presence among jawans during the festival season was framed as recognition of their role in the security push against militant groups. The visit reflected the government's broader narrative of progress against Naxalism, a movement that has claimed thousands of lives across central and eastern India since its inception in the late 1960s.

Official data has shown a declining trend in Naxal-related incidents in several regions, though sporadic violence continues in remote pockets. The administration has coupled security operations with development initiatives aimed at addressing grievances in affected communities.