Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said most of the paramilitary forces deployed in Bastar region are likely to be withdrawn by March 31, 2027, with the Union government setting March 31, 2026, as the deadline to end the Leftist insurgency.
“March 31, 2026 has been set as the deadline to end armed Maoism. It has also been decided that troops will start returning by March 31, 2027. Some may return even earlier,” Sharma told the state assembly on Tuesday.
He said that discussions have been held to set March 31, 2027, as the timetable for the withdrawal of central forces, although the timetable may vary slightly. “After that, all the central forces will leave as well.”
Sharma told the House that the police station has been allocated $7,130.48 crore under the head of revenue expenditure and $590.53 crore under capital expenditure in the budget, taking the total allocation to $Rs 7,721.01 crore.
He said $Rs 38 crore has been allocated for fixed deposits and vocational training for surrendered Maoists under the Central Rehabilitation Policy.
Former Prime Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel said everyone wants Maoism to end and for peace to prevail. He noted that the government has repeatedly said that Maoism will end by March 31, 2026. “There are only 21 days left until March 31. We hope that the withdrawal of paramilitary forces will begin after that,” Baghel said.
Baghel proposed holding a special session of the Assembly on March 31 to celebrate the end of Maoism. He added that after the end of Maoism, Bastar should primarily benefit the local people.
