Armed Naxals are gone, but 'intellectual Naxals' still lurking; we must be vigilant: PM ModiNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said armed Naxalism had been curbed but warned that people with Maoist thinking were still present in different parts of the country and needed to be "identified, and isolated".Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi said the country had successfully weakened armed Naxalism but needed to remain alert against what he called "dimagi Naxals"."We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country," PM Modi said.PM Modi said Naxalism and Maoism had destroyed the aspirations of young people and kept large parts of the country under the grip of violence for decades. He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives fighting the insurgency."Naxalism, Maoism destroyed the dreams of lakhs of youth. It stole the sons of numerous mothers, crushed the dreams of numerous mothers. This naxalism had kept a large part of India and population as a hostage for 4 decades with the barrel of a gun, they had destroyed the Constitution," PM Modi said.He said more than 3,500 security personnel had been killed while protecting citizens from Naxal violence."More than 3,500 security personnel were martyred while protecting the people of the country. More police personnel were killed than soldiers in war, police personnel had to put their lives on the line so that people can get security. This naxalism had covered the country in blood. In 2014, when you gave us the opportunity we had decided that we will rid the country of naxalism, and today I am happy to announce that naxalism does not have even the strength for breathing," the Prime Minister added.PM Modi warns against ‘dimagi Naxals’PM Modi drew a distinction between armed Naxals and people he described as "dimagi naxal", alleging that the latter continued to look for opportunities to promote violence and push the country in what he called the wrong direction."For years, people with Maoist thinking were there in public life, even in government committees this thinking had affected various institutions and initiatives. My dear countrymen, we have been able to curb and free the country from 'hathariya naxal' (armed naxal). Even if these naxals are gone, but the 'dimagi naxal' (people with naxal thinking), are looking for an opportunity, looking to see ways of violence, and trying to drag the country to a wrong path. We need to identify these dimagi naxal, isolate them, and bring the youth together for a developed country," PM Modi said.PM Modi said areas that were once affected by Naxal violence were now witnessing development, with the Tricolour representing progress and government initiatives flying in regions where armed insurgency had previously held sway."In the 21st century, it is imperative that we eliminate the decades-old challenges that have held the country back. Naxalism and Maoism have destroyed the future of millions of young people. They have snatched away the young sons of countless mothers and shattered the dreams of families across the country. For nearly four decades, Naxalism had held large parts of India and a huge section of its population in its grip, ruling through the barrel of a gun and tearing the Constitution to shreds. More than 3,500 of our police and security personnel sacrificed their lives while protecting ordinary citizens. Naxalism had turned the land red with blood."‘Naxalism is breathing its last’PM Modi said the government had decided to eliminate Naxalism after coming to power in 2014 and claimed that armed Maoist violence no longer had the strength to sustain itself."When you gave us the opportunity to serve in 2014, we resolved on that very day to free the country from Naxalism.""Today, I am happy to say that Naxalite and Maoist violence no longer has the strength to sustain itself and is breathing its last. We are moving towards completely eliminating it. In areas where the bullets of Naxalites once rang out, where the soil was once stained with blood, today the same Naxal-affected regions are witnessing the tricolour of development, trust and endeavour flying high as they move towards becoming Naxalism-free."PM Modi recalls challenges faced by IndiaDuring his Independence Day address, PM Modi also referred to challenges India faced over the past several years, including the Covid-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia."In the last 20-12 years, we have faced many dangers. As soon as we emerged from Covid, there was news of wars that started to arise from Ukraine side and West Asia. An atmosphere of tension prevailed. God knows what all the predictions the predictors made!," he said.PM Modi said attempts were also made to create fear among citizens through rumours over the availability of vaccines, petrol, diesel and fertilisers.The remarks formed part of PM Modi's wider Independence Day address, in which he outlined the government's priorities and India's development ambitions as the country moves towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.