New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is going to deploy four more battalions of over 4,000 personnel in the most Naxal-violence-hit area of ​​Bastar in Chhattisgarh, as part of the strategy to make the country completely free of Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Home Minister Amit Shah had said in Raigarh recently that the fight against Naxalism is in its final stage and strict action will continue to be taken to end it. The Centre is committed to eradicating Naxalism (Left Wing Extremism). Let us tell you that Left Wing Extremism was once called the biggest threat to the internal security of the country.

153 Naxalites killed in encounter with security forces 

The country's largest force has deployed 40 battalions including these four battalions in Chhattisgarh. Cobra soldiers have also been deployed. This year 153 Naxalites have been killed in encounters with security forces. Official sources said that the CRPF has recalled three battalions from Jharkhand and one from Bihar and they are being sent to Chhattisgarh.

They will be deployed in Bastar region, located about 450 to 500 km south of the state capital Raipur. CRPF is known as the major internal security and anti-Naxal operation force in the country. The situation of Naxal violence in Jharkhand and Bihar has improved a lot and the incidents are negligible. Therefore, these battalions are being removed from there and deployed in Chhattisgarh, where anti-Naxal operations are now concentrated. Let us tell you that there are about 1,000 soldiers in a battalion of CRPF. Sources said that these units are being deployed in remote districts of Dantewada and Sukma and on the border with Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

About 40 FOBs were built in Chhattisgarh

A senior officer of the force in Delhi said that these battalions, along with CRPF's Cobra units, will establish more Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in remote areas of the districts so that development work can be started after securing the area. In the last three years, the force has built about 40 FOBs in Chhattisgarh. He said that there are many challenges in setting up such bases, such as Naxalites ambushing the jawans and attacking them with explosive devices.

The aim of deploying the new battalions is to gain a foothold in all the 'no-go' areas of Bastar to end Naxalism within the time frame set by the government. However, another officer said the CRPF battalions will require constant technology, helicopter and resource support as south Bastar is the most challenging area for anti-Naxal operations.