Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said India became free from Naxalism ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline due to the courage and sacrifice of security forces, asserting that people in Bastar are now living without fear.
Addressing a press conference in Jagdalpur, Shah said an atmosphere of confidence and optimism about the future is now visible across Bastar, one of the regions most affected by Left-wing extremism.
“The climate of fear and the stifling reality of living under the shadow of guns have now come to an end, and Bastar is finally breathing freely. It is a matter of joy for all of us that Bastar has become Naxal-free,” Shah said.
Recalling a meeting held on August 24, 2024, Shah said the Centre had announced a target to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026.
“Thanks to the valour, courage and sacrifice of the security forces, Naxalism was eradicated ahead of the March 31 deadline,” he added.
The Home Minister also criticised the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh led by Bhupesh Baghel, alleging that it did not support the Centre’s campaign to make India free from Naxalism.
“Several non-BJP governments supported us in the Naxal-free campaign, but the Congress government in Chhattisgarh did not support us,” Shah claimed.
Highlighting development initiatives in Bastar, Shah said May 19 marked the launch of a new phase of holistic development in the region through the Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera initiative.
He said around 200 security camps had earlier been established by the Centre in Bastar to strengthen anti-Naxal operations, with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force, District Reserve Guard and Chhattisgarh Police stationed there.
“Now that Bastar is Naxal-free, we have decided that in the first phase, 70 out of these 200 camps will be converted into Veer Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Dera,” Shah said.
The service centres are aimed at taking government welfare schemes and public services directly to remote communities in the region. According to officials, benefits of 371 Central and state government schemes will be made available through these centres.
On Monday, Amit Shah inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Jan Suvidha Kendra in Bastar as part of the initiative.
-ANI
