There are no longer any Naxal-affected districts in the country; Chaibasa has also been removed from the list.
New Delhi. Marking a significant achievement in the campaign against Naxalism, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has removed Chaibasa from the list of Naxal-affected districts in the country. Chaibasa, located in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, is no longer categorized as a Naxal-affected district. With this move, there is officially not a single district left in the country on the list of Naxal-affected districts.
According to the latest report from the Home Ministry, no district in the country—including Chaibasa—remains on the list of Naxal-affected areas. This shift is attributed to the sustained anti-Naxal operations conducted over a long period by the central government and security forces.
Reports indicate that in a Ministry of Home Affairs report issued on February 9, 2026, Chaibasa had been moved from the list of “highly Naxal-affected districts” to the general category of “Naxal-affected districts.” At that time, given the prevailing Naxal activities, it had not been completely removed from the list of sensitive areas.
However, the situation has changed in the latest report. The Home Ministry has now removed Chaibasa from the list of Naxal-affected districts entirely. Consequently, the number of Naxal-affected districts across the country has dropped to zero.
Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district had long been considered sensitive due to Naxal activities. Characterized by dense forests and hilly terrain, the region remained under Maoist influence for an extended period, with frequent reports of encounters between security forces and Naxals.
Central security forces and state police launched several major operations to curb Naxal activities in Chaibasa. Efforts included continuous search operations in forest areas, the establishment of security camps, and the promotion of development initiatives. As security measures were strengthened, Naxal influence in the region steadily declined.
For several years, the central government has been working on a special strategy to eradicate Naxalism. This approach combines security operations with the expansion of essential amenities such as roads, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. The government believes that connecting remote areas to the mainstream through development initiatives plays a crucial role in eradicating Naxalism.
The Ministry of Home Affairs periodically revises the list of Naxal-affected districts based on the security situation and ground realities. Areas that witness a decline in Naxal activities and an improvement in security arrangements are gradually removed from the ‘sensitive’ category.
Chaibasa’s removal from the list is considered significant for Jharkhand as well. Naxal organizations have long been active in the state, and development work in several areas had been hampered. The district’s removal from the Naxal-affected category has sent a positive message to both the administration and the local population.
However, security experts emphasize the need to remain vigilant despite the district’s removal from the Naxal-affected list, as organizations previously active in such areas could attempt to resume their activities. Therefore, continued surveillance by security forces and the sustained implementation of development schemes remain essential.
The central government has claimed significant success in its campaigns against Naxalism over the past few years. There has been a reduction in Naxal-influenced areas across several states, alongside a decline in violent incidents.
The fact that no district in the country remains on the list of Naxal-affected districts is considered a major achievement for the security apparatus. The return to normalcy of a long-affected area like Chaibasa serves as a positive sign for local development and the maintenance of peace.
Going forward, the government’s challenge will be to sustain the pace of development and strengthen security measures in these areas to ensure that Naxalism does not regain a foothold.
