Days after the Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill was passed in the State Assembly, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) alleged that “urban Naxals” from outside the State were using foreign funds to spread rumours and stall development projects. The Chief Minister was in Gadchiroli district to inaugurate projects. 

“While gun-wielding Naxalites are surrendering, reducing Naxalism, urban Naxalism is increasing. So, we need to stay alert about ‘urban Naxals’ spreading misinformation,” the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said, adding that the investigation by the Gadchiroli police investigation had shown that people from other States, including Karnataka, were funding these campaigns.

The Guardian Minister of Gadchiroli district, Mr. Fadnavis also highlighted that social media campaigns claiming killings of tribals and land seizures started right after the foundation of a steel plant had been laid. “’Urban Naxalism’ is spreading, and they are using misinformation to derail development projects,” Mr. Fadnavis said, adding he had been shocked to come across the news, when nothing had happened. He asked the Range’s Inspector General Sandeep Patil to probe the details.

Mr. Fadnavis revealed that, upon investigation, the four persons involved were from Kolkata and Bengaluru, working on foreign funding to “instigate people against the Constitution”. 

While speaking at the ‘ground breaking’ ceremony of several projects of Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited at Konsari in Gadchiroli district, Mr. Fadnavis, who is also the State’s Home Minister, appealed to Naxalites to enter the mainstream, leaving behind their old life.

“We are on our way to fulfil our dream of making Gadchiroli the steel hub of India. In 2015-2016, the mining started amid the challenges posed by Naxalites, villagers, and safety issues. However, we are on a path to build a steel ecosystem with jobs for the locals,” Mr. Fadnavis said, ealling Gadchiroli the greenest district of Maharashtra.