New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Wednesday that India’s multi-decade struggle against Naxal insurgency reached a decisive milestone on March 31, 2026, when the nation successfully eradicated the armed conflict.

Paying homage to police officers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the country, Shah stated that their dedication provided the bedrock for India's economic growth and its elevated stature internationally.

Speaking at the National Police Commemoration Day parade in New Delhi, Shah observed that Naxalism had ravaged numerous administrative districts since 1981, taking a heavy toll on security forces and local populations, with Chhattisgarh recording the highest fatalities among security personnel.

"The year 2026 stands as a highly significant milestone for the Indian police. On March 31, 2026, the nation finally attained freedom from the scourge of Naxalism, a menace that had plagued the country for decades. Since 1981, Naxalism has inflicted deep wounds across several districts, claiming the lives of countless innocent security personnel and civilians. Chhattisgarh, in particular, has suffered the highest number of casualties among our security forces. Furthermore, more than 13,700 innocent civilians have lost their lives," he said.

Shah expressed deep condolences to the families of fallen personnel while recognising the immense personal sacrifices endured by their surviving relatives.

"Today, on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day, I wish to pay my heartfelt tribute to all those martyred personnel. To their families, I want to say this: if the nation is moving forward on the path of development today, having overcome a problem that persisted for five decades, it is because the sacrifice of 3,600 brave personnel serves as its foundation. The entire nation expresses its profound gratitude for the sacrifices made by your loved ones," the Union Home Minister said.

Shah remarked that India successfully navigated numerous security threats since achieving independence due to the resolute commitment of police units safeguarding domestic law and securing territorial borders.

"Today, we have gathered here to pay tribute to those brave police personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation, from the time of independence to the present day. In the nearly 8 decades since independence, our nation has come to occupy a respected position on the global stage. At the very foundation of this achievement lies the sacrifice of our brave personnel. One can hardly imagine that, had these brave men and women not made the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard our internal security and protect our nation’s borders, where we would stand today," Shah said.

Prior to his address, Shah launched a cross-country motorcycle expedition from the National Police Memorial in the capital to observe National Police Commemoration Day.

Organised under the campaign banner 'Fight Against Drugs', the rally features approximately 90 riders drawn from nine States and Union Territories, alongside representatives from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs).

The motorcyclists will journey through multiple states before concluding their itinerary at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, where they are scheduled to join the national Ekta Parade on October 31—celebrated across the country as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) to honour the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The Home Minister also laid floral wreaths at the National Police Memorial, honouring police and security personnel who perished in the line of duty.

National Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21 to honour the memory of ten Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed while repelling an attack by heavily armed Chinese forces at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959.

ANI