Paramilitaries likely to be withdrawn from Bastar by Mar 2027: Chhattisgarh DYCM

Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma noted that the Union government has set March 31, 2026, as the deadline for ending the Left-wing insurgency

Published on: Mar 11, 2026, 10:58:41 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma has said most paramilitary forces deployed in the Bastar region are likely to be withdrawn by March 31, 2027, with the Union government setting March 31, 2026, deadline for ending the Left-wing insurgency.

Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma. (X)

“March 31, 2026, has been fixed as the deadline to end armed Maoism, and it has also been decided that the forces will start returning by March 31, 2027. Some may go back even earlier,” Sharma told the state assembly on Tuesday

He said discussions have been held to set March 31, 2027, as the timeline for withdrawal of central forces, though the schedule may vary slightly. “After that, all the central forces would also leave.”

Sharma told the House that the police department has been allocated ₹7,130.48 crore under the revenue expenditure head and ₹590.53 crore under the capital expenditure in the budget, taking the total allocation to ₹7,721.01 crore.

He said ₹38 crore has been earmarked for fixed deposits and vocational training for surrendered Maoists under the central rehabilitation policy.

Former chief minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel said everyone wants Maoism to end and peace to prevail. He noted the government has repeatedly said that Maoism would end by March 31, 2026. “Only 21 days are left for March 31. We hope that after that, the withdrawal of paramilitary forces will begin,” Baghel said.

Baghel suggested a special session of the assembly should be convened on March 31 to celebrate the end of Maoism. He added that after Maoism ends, Bastar should primarily benefit the local people.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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