Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a visit to Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Saturday for celebrating the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum, a tribal cultural event, addressed Maoists as “brothers”, requesting them to drop their weapons and join the mainstream. He also reiterated his March 2026 deadline for eradicating Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in the Naxal affected Bastar region and the entire country.
“The era is gone when firing and blasts took place in Bastar. Even today, those who are armed and those who are not armed, to all Naxal brothers, I request – drop your weapons and join the mainstream. You people are one of us. Whenever a Naxal is killed, no one feels happy. But this region wants development. The development which could not be given in 50 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to give all that to Bastar in five years. But this can happen when there is peace in Bastar, children go to school, we care about our mother’s health, there is no malnutrition in tribal youth, there is education, healthcare services in every village, tehsils have hospitals and every house gets seven kilogram of rice every month, there is Aadhaar card, ration card and health insurance. This can happen when we make Bastar Naxal-free,” he said.
Talking about the Naxal surrender policy, Shah said every village which declares itself Naxal-free will be given Rs 1 crore worth of development work. “Tell all militias in your village to surrender,” he said.
“Today, the surrendered Naxals understand that for development, we need computers, not guns, and we need pens, not IED or bombs. In 2025, in three months, 521 naxals surrendered and 881 surrendered last year,” he said.
“This (Naxal) propaganda that we kill your youth… my brothers and sisters… no one wants to kill,” he said. “Whatever work (violence) you have done… drop your weapons and come to mainstream and we will ensure your safety and security. But you cannot stop the development of Bastar by using guns. Those who still want to keep weapons will be dealt with by the forces. Whatever happens, the entire country will be free of Naxals by next March.”
Talking about the development he wishes to see in Bastar, Shah said, “Development means a sub-inspector from Sukma, a barrister from Bastar, a doctor from Dantewada and a collector from Kanker. These dreams will come true if we work hard and do not be afraid of anyone. Your safety will be taken care of by this double engine sarkar.”
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
