PANAJI, SEP 6 (AGENCIES): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the Narendra Modi government would eradicate the menace of drugs just as it had eliminated Naxalism.
Addressing reporters after chairing a high-level meeting on narcotics in Panaji, attended by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and senior officials, Shah said the five-decade-old Naxal problem had “almost become a thing of the past”, with most cadres surrendering and joining the mainstream. He said the Centre would similarly eliminate the menace of drugs.
Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said the government had taken several steps to strengthen internal security, particularly against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalism and armed insurgency in the Northeast.
He said the security situation had changed significantly since 2019. Following the abrogation of Article 370, separatist sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir had declined considerably, terrorism figures were falling and the region was progressing on the development path. Efforts had also reduced the “mental distance” between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India, he said.
Shah said India had earlier faced three major internal security challenges—terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalism and unrest by armed groups in the Northeast—besides bomb blasts and concerns over women’s safety. He credited Modi’s leadership since 2019 with bringing about a significant change, saying the government had pursued a sustained campaign to strengthen internal security and restore public confidence across the country.
Shah said around 11,000 youths in the Northeast had laid down arms. The Centre had signed more than 14 agreements with insurgent groups, contributing to peace and development in the region.
He also highlighted the government’s campaign against fugitives who fled India after committing crimes. From 2019 to July 2026, 274 fugitives had been extradited from 36 countries, he said.
Those extradited included people involved in serious offences such as economic crimes, terrorism, narcotics and gang wars, Shah said.
