Amit Shah says ‘Red Corridor’ to be destroyed by March 31

Bhubaneswar/Katik: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday praised the security forces for decisively curbing Naxalite activities and announced that the extremists’ long-cherished wish to establish a “red corridor” from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh to Pashupadi in Nepal will be eliminated by March 31.He was speaking at the 57th anniversary celebrations of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Mundali in Odisha’s Cuttack district, where he launched five housing projects worth Rs 890 crore for the paramilitary force, which he hailed as a “key catalyst” for India’s industrial growth.“A Naxalite-free India is the resolve of the Narendra Modi government. I want to assure the citizens that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be wiped out by March 31. By defeating those who dream of a red corridor from Tirupati to Pashupati, our security forces will establish their dominance,” Shah said. Highlighting the role of CISF in anti-Maoist efforts, Shah said: “Be it Odisha, Chhattisgarh or Telangana, CISF has made significant contribution in our fight against LWE.“Although the CISF is not directly involved in combat operations, officials said they play a vital support role – acting as road openers, securing movement routes for troops, protecting installations in Naxal-affected areas, and assisting state governments with outreach and welfare initiatives to build trust. Shah laid the foundation stone of three CISF residential complexes in Assam, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh at the Mundali Training Centre.