India, March 31 -- Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday declared in Parliament that India has effectively become free from Naxalism, stating that the Maoist leadership and central structure have been nearly dismantled.

Replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha on efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), Shah said the government's target of making the country Naxal-free by March 31, 2026, has largely been achieved. He added that a formal announcement would follow once the process is fully completed.

"Their Politburo and central structure have been almost completely dismantled. I can say that we have become Naxal-free," Shah told the House, highlighting major successes of security forces across affected states.

Detailing the progre...