Union Home Minister Amit Shah unequivocally ruled out any possibility of talks with Maoists, stating that they must first surrender to participate in the development of Bastar. He also highlighted that the central government, under Narendra Modi, has allocated over 4 lakh crore rupees for development projects in Chhattisgarh over the past 10 years. Additionally, various schemes have been initiated to honor the tribal communities.
Speaking at the Bastar Dussehra Lokotsav 2025 and Swadeshi Mela event held at Lalbagh Parade Ground in Jagdalpur, Amit Shah reiterated the resolve to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31st of the following year.
Shah, taking a stern stance on the Naxalites, stated that security forces would give a befitting reply to those disrupting peace in Bastar through violence. He appealed to the tribal communities, urging them to persuade the youth in their villages to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream, participating in the development of Bastar.
He made it clear that the governments, both in Chhattisgarh and at the center, are dedicated to the development of Bastar and all Naxal-affected areas. He emphasized the attractive surrender policy and urged them to surrender. Shah warned that if anyone tries to disrupt the peace of Bastar through violence, the armed forces will respond strongly, and Naxalism will be eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026.
Central Home Minister termed Naxalism as an impediment to development, stating that some people in Delhi had spread the misconception that Naxalism was a struggle for development. He clarified to the tribal communities that their development was hindered by Naxalism. He emphasized that now, every village in the country has access to electricity, drinking water, roads, toilets in every house, health insurance up to five lakh rupees, five kilograms of free rice, and arrangements to provide 3100 rupees per quintal for their paddy, but Bastar has lagged behind due to Naxalism.
Amit Shah announced that villages declared Naxal-free would receive one crore rupees for their development.
He assured that after March 31st of the next year, Naxalites will not be able to hinder development or rights, highlighting the work done and remaining to be done.
Appealing to the people of Bastar to distance themselves from Naxalism, Amit Shah urged them to persuade the misguided youth, who are from their own villages, to surrender their weapons and join the mainstream. He praised the Chhattisgarh government for establishing the best surrender policy in the country, with over 500 people surrendering in a month. He emphasized that no one benefits from Naxalism.
Additionally, Amit Shah visited the Dantewari temple in Jagdalpur for prayers and sought blessings from the goddess, praying for the strength of the security forces to free the entire Bastar region from the ‘red terror’ by March 31, 2026.
Prior to this, he participated in the traditional Muriya Darbar held as part of the world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival, where he interacted with priests and leaders from the tribal community.
