New Delhi, October 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said India had made significant progress in tackling three longstanding internal security challenges — Kashmir, the Northeast and Left-wing extremism — asserting that peace had created conditions for development in these regions.
Addressing Police Commemoration Day in New Delhi, Shah said the three regions had remained critical security hotspots for decades but were now moving towards stability and development.
“Today, all three hotspots are peaceful, an atmosphere conducive to development has emerged, and these regions are ready to compete with the rest of the country in development,” he said.
Shah said terrorism in Kashmir had been largely curbed, while agreements and the surrender of thousands of people had helped the Northeast move towards peace. He also credited police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel with making significant progress against Naxalism, which had affected several states for five decades.
The Home Minister specifically commended the CAPFs and the CoBRA Battalion for their contribution to the campaign against Naxalism.
He also acknowledged the role of CAPF personnel deployed along the country’s borders and in internal security duties, noting that they remained on alert during elections, festivals, protests and other critical occasions.
Shah said the country’s democratic institutions and electoral processes could not function smoothly without the contribution of CAPF personnel.
During the event, Shah flagged off a motorcycle rally from the national capital. CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh briefed him on the rally. Tributes were also paid to fallen personnel by the Shahid Pushtika Rakshak Toli, the ceremonial police squad responsible for safeguarding and presenting the Martyrs’ Book during commemorative services.
Drug-free India target set for December 31, 2029
Shah also announced an intensified nationwide campaign against drugs, saying the Union Home Ministry had decided to pursue a coordinated effort throughout the remaining months of 2026 and across 2027, 2028 and 2029.
He said the government aimed to make India free from the drug problem by December 31, 2029.
Describing the goal as particularly important, Shah said drug abuse threatened future generations, placed an additional burden on the economy and provided financial support to organisations involved in anti-national activities.
He called on police forces across the country to implement the roadmap prepared by the government and work towards the drug-free India target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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