India, Feb. 9 -- Maoism has never benefitted any society and has brought only destruction wherever it has existed, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Monday, citing examples such as Colombia, Peru and Cambodia as he reiterated that Naxalism would be completely eradicated from India by March 31.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the 'Bastar Pandum 2026' cultural event in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Chhattisgarh's Bastar district, Shah appealed to Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream, assuring them of dignified rehabilitation. "The Maoist rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government is the most attractive," he said.

Shah expressed concern that several young tribal girls were still among the remaining Maoists. "They ...