IPS Kiran G Chavan is a 2018 Batch Officer of Chhattisgarh cadre and is currently posted as  Superintendent of Police in Sukma, one of the most Naxal-affected districts in Chhattisgarh.

 His Mission for the district is clear and ambitious - to eliminate Naxalism by 2026.

 “Sukma is a Naxal-affected area, and our major focus is on eliminating the Naxal problem,” Chavan says.

 To achieve this, a three-step strategy: security, development, and community engagement has been adopted.

 The first step is the security approach, which forms a major part of the mission. Under this, regular operations are conducted against Naxals to dismantle their networks and encourage them to surrender. “Some encounters also happen—Naxalites get killed. And unfortunately, we’ve also lost some of our jawans in the crossfire,” he explained.

 The second part of the strategy is the development approach. Under this, security camps are first set up in the interior areas of the district before initiating any development activities. “These camps not only provide operational support but are also being developed as integrated centers,” he said. Once these camps are established, the surrounding villages begin to receive access to basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water supply, schools, mobile connectivity and healthcare.

 “Earlier, the village was isolated from the mainstream, but due to the establishment of these security camps, all these facilities are now reaching them.” He quoted

 The third approach focuses on community involvement and engagement—winning the hearts and minds of the people. Once the camps are established in a particular area, “we start interacting with the locals and encourage them to give up the path of Naxalism and join the mainstream, where development and democracy can help them prosper,” Chavan said.

 With this Chavan is leading Sukma on a path of progress and better future. “It’s a gradual process,” he admits, “but through these three approaches, we are steadily working to eliminate Naxalism from the district.”