Modi warns ideological Naxal supporters remain a threat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said armed Maoist activity had been eliminated from forest areas but warned that what he called “dimagi Naxals” remained a threat, alleging that ideological supporters had entered political parties and other organisations and were turning people against the Constitution and democracy. He made the remarks on November 8 while celebrating Diwali with security personnel at a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Karanpur, in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district.

Modi described “dimagi Naxals” as ideological supporters of Naxalites and said they had taken control of organisations. He called for identifying and defeating them. The allegations about infiltration and efforts to undermine constitutional institutions were statements by Modi; the reports of his address did not provide independently verified examples or evidence supporting them.

The prime minister said the threat of Naxalism had not ended with the removal of armed fighters from forests. He also said his government had disrupted funding networks and supply lines associated with Naxalites and separatists, and had worked to stop support for Left-Wing Extremism from within government and the wider system....