Union Home Minister Amit Shah Says Internal Security Has Improved in Kashmir, Northeast and Naxal-Affected Areas
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the internal security situation had improved in Kashmir, the Northeast and Naxal-affected areas. Speaking on the occasion of National Police Commemoration Day, he commended the efforts of police personnel and security forces in establishing peace in these regions. Shah also reiterated the target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India drug-free by December 31, 2029, and called on police forces to work together towards achieving the goal.
At an event held at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, Shah paid tribute to police personnel who lost their lives while performing their duties. He said police personnel play an important role in maintaining internal security, upholding law and order, and protecting citizens.
Remembering their sacrifices, Shah said their contribution to the country's security and stability could not be forgotten. He expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen personnel, stating that their loss could not be compensated, but the entire country respected their sacrifices.
According to the Home Minister, India has strengthened its position globally since independence, with police personnel and security forces making an important contribution to protecting the country and maintaining internal security.
Shah referred to three longstanding challenges to India's internal security: terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in parts of the Northeast, and Naxalism in affected regions.
He said the security situation in these areas had improved and that sustained efforts by security forces had helped establish peace. He commended the action, courage and dedication of personnel deployed in the affected regions.
Referring to operations against Naxalism, Shah specifically praised the contributions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its CoBRA battalions and the Chhattisgarh Police. He said personnel had worked under difficult circumstances to address the challenge, with many sacrificing their lives in the process.
Shah cited the sacrifice of approximately 3,600 personnel in the fight against Naxalism, highlighting the contribution of those who lost their lives during security operations.
The Home Minister stressed the need to intensify the nationwide campaign against narcotic substances. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had set December 31, 2029, as the target for making India drug-free.
Achieving this objective would require coordinated efforts by police forces, investigative agencies and other relevant institutions, Shah said.
He described the narcotics trade as a serious challenge for society and the economy. According to him, the spread of drugs damages the future of young people and coming generations, while also adversely affecting families and society.
Shah also said the illegal narcotics trade could provide financial support to organisations involved in anti-national activities. For this reason, he said, action against drugs was linked not only to law and order but also to national security.
He urged police forces to take effective action against drug trafficking and the networks associated with it. He also emphasised cooperation and coordination among different agencies involved in the campaign.
Addressing the National Police Commemoration Day event, Shah said 36,852 police personnel had died in the line of duty since independence. The figure included 154 personnel who had lost their lives this year.
He said these personnel had sacrificed their lives to protect the country, maintain law and order, and safeguard citizens. Their sacrifices could not be reduced to statistics, he said, as every fallen personnel left behind a family and loved ones.
Shah expressed his respect for the families of the deceased police personnel and said the country remained grateful for their contribution. He described the dedication of police forces as an important pillar of India's internal security system.
Before the event, Shah flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally involving approximately 90 police riders. Personnel from various central security and investigative organisations participated in the rally.
The participating organisations included the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Security Guard (NSG). Personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) also participated.
According to the plan, the rally will pass through various states before reaching Ekta Nagar in Gujarat. The riders will participate in the Ekta Parade scheduled for October 31, 2026, on the occasion of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. October 31 is observed as National Unity Day.
The initiative aims to spread the messages of national unity and awareness against drugs through the participation of security forces.
India observes National Police Commemoration Day every year on October 21 to honour police personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
The observance commemorates an incident on October 21, 1959, when 10 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed while confronting an ambush by Chinese troops in the Hot Springs area of Ladakh.
The day is observed in memory of their sacrifice. Police personnel and security force members who have died in the line of duty are remembered across the country, and their families are honoured.
National Police Commemoration Day recognises the duty, courage and service of police personnel and highlights their role in protecting citizens.
In his address, Shah focused on internal security, operations against Naxalism and efforts to curb the illegal narcotics trade. He said the security situation had improved in Kashmir, the Northeast and Naxal-affected areas, crediting the efforts of police personnel and security forces.
He also reiterated the target of making India drug-free by December 31, 2029, and called for coordinated action by police forces and other agencies.
