Union Home Minister Amit Shah attended the President’s Police Color Award ceremony at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Sunday. During this, he said that the Central and Chhattisgarh governments are committed to eliminate the threat of Naxalism from the state before March 31, 2026. Shah claimed that Chhattisgarh Police has made significant achievements in the fight against Naxalism in the last one year.
Shah also praised the rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government for Naxalites and appealed to them to give up violence and join the mainstream. He said, ‘The state leadership, the Chief Minister, the State Home Minister have taken a pledge and the Government of India is also committed to your resolve. Together we will completely eliminate Naxalism from Chhattisgarh before 31 March 2026. We are all committed to freeing Chhattisgarh from the clutches of Naxalism before 31 March 2026. The Union Minister said that it is the resolve of the state police to eliminate Naxalism.
Shah said the President’s Color Award is not just an award, it is a symbol of service, dedication and sacrifice and a reminder of the countless challenges the police have to overcome. The Home Minister expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh Police will discharge its responsibilities and will never step back from its duty.
Shah said, ‘I am sure that from tomorrow onwards, Chhattisgarh Police personnel will come out wearing this insignia on their uniforms, then their morale will increase manifold.’ He said, ‘Chhattisgarh Police has made significant achievements in the fight against Naxalism in the last one year. In the last one year in the state, 287 Naxalites were killed, about one thousand were arrested and 837 surrendered, which is Shows the momentum in the fight against. In the last one year, 14 top cadres (of Naxalites) were killed in the state.
Shah said that for the first time in four decades, the number of deaths of civilians and security forces in Naxalite violence has fallen below 100. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naxalism has been curbed in the entire country in 10 years. He said that a comparative analysis of the last 10 years (with the previous 10 years) shows that there has been a 73 percent decline in deaths of security personnel and 70 percent decline in civilian deaths due to Maoist violence.
Shah said that Chhattisgarh Police, along with various security forces of the country, has made preparations to put the last nail in the coffin of Naxalism. The Union Minister also appealed to the Naxalites to give up violence and join the mainstream. He said, ‘I would like to appeal to the Naxalites that the state government has made a very good surrender policy, so they should give up violence. They should join the mainstream, move forward on the path of development and also contribute to the development of Chhattisgarh.
Shah said that the state government is giving a good package to the surrendered Naxalites and they should take advantage of it. The Union Minister said that Chhattisgarh Police is also running a strong campaign against organized crime and drugs. He said, ‘From January 1 to September 30 this year, 1,100 drug cases were registered, 21,000 kg of ganja and about 1.95 lakh intoxicating pills were seized and 1,400 people were arrested in this connection.’
Shah said the first President Police Flag was awarded to the Navy in 1951 and a minimum of 25 years of service is required to be eligible for the award. Chhattisgarh, formed on November 1, 2000, has received this award even before it completed 25 years. He said, ‘I want to thank the President for honoring the dedication, sacrifice and courage of Chhattisgarh Police.’
Shah said that he has been in touch with Chhattisgarh Police on the issue of Naxalism for the last five years. He said, ‘Your passion, your courage, your bravery and your dedication. I can say with confidence that Chhattisgarh Police Force is the bravest among all the police forces in the country. The Home Minister said, ‘Whether it is to strengthen law and order, to take forward the fight to make India free from Naxalism, to take forward the campaign of drug-free India, to ensure public safety or to make the lives of citizens easier, Chhattisgarh Police has never been in second place, but has always been at the forefront. It is a matter of pride for all of us.
Shah also paid tribute to the country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his death anniversary. He said, ‘It was Sardar Saheb who unified this country. When we got independence, people all over the world thought that more than 356 princely states would not be able to unite, but Sardar Saheb’s indomitable courage unified this country. Shah said, ‘(Prime Minister) Modi ji’s determination completed the unfinished work of Sardar Saheb and integrated Kashmir with India by removing Article 370.’ Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, State Assembly Speaker Raman Singh and Director General of Police Ashok Juneja were present on this occasion.