Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday asserted that Maoism has never benefited any society and has only spread destruction wherever it existed, as he reiterated the Centre’s resolve to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the three-day division-level cultural festival “Bastar Pandum 2026” in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Shah appealed to Naxalites to surrender and join the mainstream, assuring them of dignified rehabilitation under government policy.
He described the Chhattisgarh government’s Maoist rehabilitation policy as highly attractive and expressed concern that many of the remaining cadres include young tribal girls whose futures must be protected through rehabilitation.
Shah warned that while those who surrender will be protected, armed cadres continuing violence, planting IEDs, and attacking public infrastructure such as schools and hospitals will face strong action. He said armed violence would be met with firm force and added that Maoist movements had caused devastation in several countries including Colombia, Peru and Cambodia.
Emphasising that the government’s fight is to protect tribal communities, Shah said explosive devices and violence endanger innocent villagers and children. He accused Maoists of having shut schools for decades, leading to widespread illiteracy in affected regions.
Highlighting development gains, he said Bastar is witnessing rapid transformation with reopening of schools, expansion of roads, installation of mobile towers, new post offices, and extension of electricity and drinking water to villages. He declared a target of making Bastar the country’s most developed tribal-majority division within five years.
Shah outlined a regional development roadmap covering seven districts, including electrification of all villages by December 2027, mobile connectivity in every village, and a post office or bank branch within every five kilometres.
He announced that paddy would be procured from tribal farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal, cooking gas connections would be expanded, and tap water would be provided to every household. With declining Naxal violence, new tourism initiatives such as adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks and glass bridges are also being promoted.
A new 118-acre industrial area is being set up in Bastar to create employment for tribal youth. Shah also announced upcoming irrigation projects on the Indravati river aimed at irrigating 2.75 lakh hectares in Dantewada, Bijapur and Sukma districts, along with generating 120 MW of electricity.
The Home Minister said Bastar’s identity should be defined by its culture and heritage, not guns and explosives. He thanked security forces including state police, CRPF, ITBP and BSF for their operations against Naxalism and paid tribute to personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
He praised the organisation of Bastar Pandum 2026, noting its expansion to 12 disciplines across seven districts with participation from 1,885 gram panchayats and 32 development blocks. He announced that the top three winners in each discipline will be invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan to showcase their art and share a meal.
Shah said the large public participation in the festival reflects Bastar’s cultural revival and affirmed the government’s commitment to preserving tribal traditions for future generations.
