Naxalism ending in Chhattisgarh will mark a new beginning of development: Amit Shah

Jagdalpur, 13 December: Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that with the end of Naxalism in Bastar, a new beginning of development will start. On the occasion, Shah also inaugurated the Har Ghar Roshan project in Jagdalpur.

The final ceremony of the 2025 Olympics in Bastar was held under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Shah. On the occasion, he said that we had decided to eliminate the red terror from the entire country before March 31, 2026, and today we are standing at this threshold on the occasion of Bastar Olympics 2025. He said that by next November-December, till Bastar Olympics 2026, the entire India and Chhattisgarh will be free from red terror, and Naxal-free Bastar will move forward.

The Union Home Minister said that Naxalites are becoming a threat to the development of the area, which is hindering the development of Bastar. After the elimination of Naxalism from Bastar, a new wave of development will start. He said that seven districts: Kanker, Kondagaon, Bastar, Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur, and Dantewada, will be among the top districts in the country by 2030. He said that now every individual in Bastar will have access to basic amenities in their homes. Banking facilities will be available within a 5 km radius. Forest produce processing units will be set up. The districts of Bastar will produce milk through dairy farming. New industries, hospitals, and other facilities will be set up in Bastar. He said that the culture of Bastar is the most beautiful culture in the world.

The Union Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have resolved to free Bastar and India from Naxalism. He said that Bastar, comprising seven districts, will become the most developed tribal division in the country by December 2030. He said that our government is committed to providing every individual in Bastar with a home, electricity, toilet, tap water, gas cylinder, 5 kg of grain, and free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh.

Shah said that the central government has set a target to free the entire country from Naxalism by March 31, 2026. He said that he will visit Bastar again, and by then this promise will have been fulfilled. He said that in Bastar Olympics 2025, seven teams from seven districts and a team of surrendered Naxalites are participating. He said that it was a pleasure to see over 700 surrendered Naxalites participating in these games. He said that such over 700 youths, who used to waste their lives after getting caught in the web of Naxalism, have now adopted sports.

He said that cooperative processing units for forest produce will be set up in Chhattisgarh. He said that the seven districts of Bastar will become the highest milk-producing tribal districts and will increase their income through dairy farming. He said that Bastar will also develop new industries, higher education, one of the best sports complexes in India, and a state-of-the-art hospital.

The Union Home Minister said that a special scheme will be implemented to address malnutrition. He said that a very attractive rehabilitation plan will be implemented for those who have surrendered and have been injured due to Naxalism. He said that Bastar is no longer a symbol of fear and violence but is becoming a new example of development and sports. In the future, players from Bastar will represent the country in the Commonwealth Games. He informed that last year 165,000 players participated in Bastar Olympics, while this year 391,000 players participated, which represents an increase of almost two and a half times and an increase of almost three times in participation. He also informed that Chhattisgarh has been selected to host the Khel India Tribal Games.

He said that the goal of the Government of India and the Chhattisgarh government was not to kill Naxalites in encounters, as over 2000 Naxalite youths have surrendered. He said that our tribal community leaders have played a crucial role in this, as their guidance has given confidence to the Naxalite youths. He appealed to community leaders and social workers to work to convince those who are still carrying arms and to bring them back into the mainstream of society.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Assembly Speaker Dr. Charan Das Mahant, Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo, Minister Kawasi Lakhma, BJP state president Arun Sao, and MP Mahesh Gagda, among other ministers and public representatives, were present.