Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that Left-wing extremists who once envisioned a “Red Corridor” stretching from Tirupati to Pashupatinath Temple would be completely defeated by security forces by March 31, 2026, asserting that the country is close to becoming free from Naxalism.
Addressing the 57th Raising Day ceremony of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Odisha’s Mundali, HM Shah said the force has played a significant role in anti-Naxal operations in states such as Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
“The government is committed to eliminating Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026. Those who dreamed of a Red Corridor from Tirupati to Pashupatinath will be completely defeated by our security forces,” HM Shah said.
The Home Minister described the journey of the CISF over the past 56 years as a story of dedication and courage, noting that the force has grown “from zero to the pinnacle in the field of industrial security.” He said a secure environment for industrial growth is essential for India’s economic progress.
HM Shah said the government has recently decided to entrust the security of all ports in the country to the CISF, expanding its role in protecting critical infrastructure. At present, the force provides security to 361 key installations, including 70 airports across India.
He added that the CISF has also been designated as the government’s nodal agency for drone security and has recently been assigned security responsibilities for several major infrastructure projects, including Noida International Airport, Navi Mumbai Airport, Lengpui Airport, and the Bhakra Dam Project.
Highlighting the government’s development vision, HM Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of making India a fully developed nation by 2047 and turning it into the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, adding that the CISF is playing a crucial role in achieving these objectives by ensuring industrial security.
During the event, HM Shah laid the foundation stone for three CISF residential complexes in Kamrup, Nashik and Sehore to be built at a cost of ₹890 crore, and inaugurated two residential complexes in Rajarhat and Delhi for CISF personnel and their families.
The Home Minister also noted that the CISF may soon provide security to private industrial groups through a hybrid model, equipped with modern technology and security systems.
Senior leaders including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the CISF, were present at the ceremony.
HM Shah said ensuring both internal and external security remains critical for India’s development goals, adding that the government is fully prepared to address security challenges across the country.
