HYDERABAD: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday asserted that the Centre will not engage in any discussions with Naxals as they continue to bear arms.Speaking at a public meeting after the inauguration of the headquarters of Turmeric Board at Nizamabad in Telangana, the home minister emphasised that the Congress-governed state should not become a hub for Naxal activities. “Congress asks (the Centre) to hold discussions with these people (Maoists). Our govt’s policy is ‘no talks’ with those who hold arms. Give up weapons, surrender, and join the mainstream. I have serious doubts about whether Congress govt might offer shelter to Naxals on the run,” the Union home minister said.The home minister urged CM A Revanth Reddy to take a strong stance against making Telangana a hub for Naxals, highlighting losses among police and local tribes due to Maoist violence. “Should we simply forget the sacrifices and allow them to roam free?” the Union minister asked.Shah reiterated the Centre’s commitment to eradicating Naxalism from the country entirely by March next year. “In several Northeastern states, over 10,000 extremists have surrendered, many of whom have even successfully contested local elections. In the past two years alone, over 2,000 Naxals have laid down their arms. If they continue to resist, we are determined that Naxalism will be wiped out by March 31, 2026,” Shah declared.Shah slammed the Congress govt, saying the tenure of the previous BRS regime was marred by corruption, which ultimately led the public to vote for Revanth. But despite the change in leadership, the people of Telangana have not seen the benefits they expected. “Once Telangana was an ATM for BRS. Now, it has merely become an ATM for Congress leaders in Delhi,” Shah remarked.Shah denounced Congress LS leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi for raising questions about Operation Sindoor. “Rahul, how many doubts do you have? During Operation Sindoor, we crossed into Pakistan and dismantled their terrorist camps.”On the turmeric board, Shah credited PM Narendra Modi with the initiative, saying the latter had promised it in 2023 and had not fulfilled it by meeting a four-decade-old demand to set up its headquarters in Nizamabad. “Modi Ji always delivers on what he promises,” the Union home minister emphasised.Shah highlighted Modi’s other measures for farmers such as increasing the agriculture budget by Rs 1 lakh crore, providing Rs 6,000 annually to every farmer, keeping fertiliser prices stable, and ensuring crop insurance.