MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that the last visible symbols of Maoist terror have been eradicated from Gadchiroli district, a day after security forces successfully demolished 44 Naxal memorials in a well-coordinated operation. In his statement, Fadnavis lauded the “brave police force of Gadchiroli,” emphasizing that the operation went beyond removing physical structures, representing a decisive democratic victory over a longstanding climate of fear that has plagued local residents for years.

Fadnavis explained that these memorials had been erected by Maoists in remote forest areas to instill fear among the population and assert their dominance in the region. He underscored that the demolition was a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism from Gadchiroli, highlighting the government’s firm commitment to restoring peace, enhancing security, and promoting development in the area.

The operation, comprising around 800 personnel from the district police, elite C-60 commandos, the Central Reserve Police Force, and specialized units, was executed on Wednesday, February 18. These forces, after conducting inspections with bomb detection and disposal squads, systematically demolished the memorials across sensitive areas such as Etapalli, Hedri, Bhamragad, Jimalgatta, Dhanora, and Pendhari. Fadnavis remarked on how this success symbolizes a transformative journey for Gadchiroli from a state of fear to one of trust, and from violence to development.

Gadchiroli district, historically regarded as a hotbed of Naxalite activity, forms a critical part of India's ‘Red Corridor’ of Left-Wing Extremism. The region's dense forests have provided advantageous cover for Maoist insurgents for years. With the central government setting a deadline of March 31, 2026, to quell the Naxal threat across the country, Fadnavis expressed hope that the recent developments in Gadchiroli indicate a significant paradigm shift towards peace and security.