Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday set a firm deadline to end left-wing extremism in India, declaring that the country would be free of Maoist violence by March 31 and that security forces would ensure the defeat of any attempt to create a so-called “red corridor” stretching from Tirupati to Pashupati.
Speaking at the 57th Renaissance Day ceremony of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on the banks of the Mahanadi river in Odisha, Shah said the Narendra Modi government had taken a “pledge” to eliminate the menace and the CISF had made significant contributions to the efforts in states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
“The dream of those who envisioned the Red Corridor from Tirupati to Pashupati will be completely defeated and our security forces will establish complete control,” Shah said while addressing thousands of CISF personnel and their families gathered at the parade ground at Mondali in Cuttack. “This will be a major achievement under the leadership of the Prime Minister.”
Over the years, CISF personnel have collectively been awarded 13,700 medals for bravery and distinguished service, Shah said.
Highlighting the expanded mandate of the force, Shah announced several new responsibilities for the SSF. The Federal Ministry of Interior decided to assign the task of security of all major ports in the country to the force, adding a major maritime dimension to its current role. In addition, the CISF is designated as the nodal agency for drone security, with a new sector created for this purpose.
Several new organizations have also been added to CISF’s security portfolio over the past year. These airports include Noida International Airport, Navi Mumbai Airport, Lengpoi Airport, Jawaharpur Thermal Power Project, Bhakra Dam Project, NTPC facilities, Rajasthan Refinery Project and Talipalli Coal Mining Project.
During the event, Shah also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of many valuable projects $890 crore under five different schemes. Residential complexes for BSF personnel have been completed in Rajarhat and Mahipalpur, while foundation stones have been laid for reserve battalion complexes in Kamrup, Nashik and Sehore.
