Raipur, May 19: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday during a press conference in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, that Bastar is now completely free from the fear of Naxalism. He stated that a new chapter of development is about to begin in the region. Shah highlighted the enthusiasm, confidence, and hope for the future visible on the faces of the people of Bastar. The era of living under the shadow of guns has ended, and the entire region can now breathe freely.
In his address, the Home Minister mentioned four significant dates that outline the campaign against Naxalism and subsequent development plans.
The first important date is December 13, 2023, when the BJP government was formed in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Vishnu Dev Sai. Shah pointed out that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was in power at the center, the Congress-led state government did not provide the necessary support in the fight against Naxalism. He claimed that several non-BJP governments cooperated with the center, but the Congress government did not contribute to this campaign.
Following the formation of the BJP government, a renewed campaign was launched to eliminate the remaining Naxalism in Bastar. The second significant date is August 24, 2024, when it was announced after a meeting of all state DGPs that India would be free from the terror of Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
Shah credited the valor, courage, and sacrifices of security forces for achieving the complete eradication of Naxalism ahead of the scheduled deadline.
The fourth and most crucial date is May 19, 2026, as it marks the launch of a comprehensive development plan for Naxal-affected areas. He noted that for years, some intellectuals claimed that the lack of development led to the rise of Naxalism, while the truth is that Naxalism hindered development in these regions.
The Home Minister announced that the central government has already begun working on new plans for the development of Bastar. He mentioned the recent inauguration of the “Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera,” an initiative to transform security camps established to combat Naxalism into development centers.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had set up around 200 security camps in Naxal-affected areas, where personnel from CAPF, DRG, and Chhattisgarh Police were stationed. With the end of Naxalism, 70 of these camps will be converted into “Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Deras.”
Through these service centers, each tribal family in Bastar will receive a cow and a buffalo. The milk will be marketed nationwide through a cooperative model, increasing the income of tribal families and strengthening the region economically.
Shah emphasized that Bastar will now write a new story of development, employment, and prosperity, free from fear.
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