India, Nov. 1 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the number of Maoist-affected districts in the country has dropped from 125 to just three in the last 11 years, expressing confidence that the day is not far when every corner of Chhattisgarh and India will be completely free from the menace of Maoism.

Speaking at the Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav in Nava Raipur, marking the 25th anniversary of the state's formation, Modi hailed Chhattisgarh's journey of progress, saying that the seed sown 25 years ago had now grown into a "vat vriksh" (banyan tree) of development.

"For 50 years, the people here suffered unbearable pain because of Maoism. Those who show off the Constitution and shed crocodile tears in the name of social justic...