New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted what he described as the transformation of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected tribal regions under his government’s development-oriented approach, while criticising previous Congress-led governments for failing to eliminate Maoist violence despite repeatedly invoking the Constitution.
Speaking during a special programme on Republic TV, the Prime Minister asserted that India has emerged as a reliable global power, with world leaders recognising “Nation First” as the guiding principle behind the country’s progress.
The Prime Minister devoted significant attention to the issue of LWE, describing efforts to eradicate it as one of the major achievements of his government.
He said LWE-affected tribal regions, home to a large population, were once neglected, with people living in fear and lacking access to basic facilities.
According to the Prime Minister, even in the 21st century, government vehicles and personnel could not reach many villages due to Maoist influence.
PM Modi drew a contrast with the period between 2004 and 2014, when the Congress-led UPA government was in power.
During those 10 years, Maoist violence resulted in more than 17,010 incidents and over 7,000 deaths, he said.
He added that despite the gravity of the situation, the then government failed to act decisively.
Targeting the Congress, PM Modi said: “When these people were in government and LWE-affected areas were witnessing violence, they would mention the name of the Constitution, but the Constitution was not in their hands.”
The Prime Minister accused the Congress of invoking the Constitution without demonstrating the political will to eradicate LWE, allowing the problem to persist for years.
In contrast, PM Modi said his government’s sustained and multi-pronged strategy, combining security operations with a large-scale development push, has yielded results.
“Today, the whole country is seeing that Naxalism will be uprooted,” he said.
He stated that over the past 12 years, the government has constructed more than 12,000 kilometres of roads in LWE-affected areas.
To ensure the smooth execution of infrastructure projects, around 25 workers were deployed on road construction sites under the protection of approximately 200 security personnel, he said.
The Prime Minister added that around 45,000 mobile towers have been installed to improve connectivity in these regions.
More than 1,800 new bank branches have been opened in LWE-affected districts, around 75,000 banking correspondents appointed and over 6,000 post offices established, he said.
According to PM Modi, these measures have brought governance closer to people in remote regions.
He also highlighted welfare initiatives, including the issuance of ration cards to residents who had previously been excluded due to the prevailing security situation.
The Prime Minister expressed pride in the successful organisation of the Bastar Olympics, saying more than 1.5 million youths participated in the first edition and around 400,000 in the second edition.
He said the event reflected a new era of normalcy, hope and youth engagement in regions once considered strongholds of Maoist violence.
PM Modi said the results of these efforts were visible despite the hard work behind them often going unnoticed.
He reiterated that every decision and initiative of his government has been guided by the principle of putting the nation first.
The Prime Minister said initiatives such as Make in India and the emphasis on purchasing Indian products have succeeded because of a strengthened national image and a collective resolve to make the country prosperous.
He added that these changes have restored faith among ordinary citizens in LWE-affected areas.
Recalling his recent engagement in France, PM Modi said he and the French President visited stalls run by orphans and widows, showcasing innovative Indian initiatives that are attracting global attention.
He expressed confidence that India’s progress under the “Nation First” philosophy is setting new benchmarks globally.
PM Modi reiterated his commitment to building a stronger and more developed India through sustained efforts, development and inclusive governance.
His remarks on Republic TV highlighted the shift from despair to development in tribal heartlands and reinforced the government’s resolve to eliminate the remaining influence of LWE through a combination of security measures and holistic development.
(IANS)
