RAIPUR, Oct. 30 -- The Chhattisgarh government has decided to downgrade the security cover of 116 political leaders and public representatives across the Bastar region, citing a sharp decline in Maoist violence, deputy chief minister and home minister Vijay Sharma said.

Sharma said the phased reduction follows a six-month security review and threat-perception assessment. "The target was set to end armed naxalism by March 31, 2026. It would not have been appropriate to withdraw security immediately after that, so arrangements were monitored for six months," he said.

Sharma said protectees who were provided Z+ security have been moved to the Z category, while those in Z have been moved to Y+ and those in Y+ to Y, Sharma said.

The ministe...