New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday while stating that the era of bullets and bomb blasts are over in Bastar, appealed to all Naxalites to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream, as Bastar wants development.
Addressing the Bastar Pandum programme in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, Shah said that Naxalites cannot stop the development of entire Bastar as it has now become a symbol of future and not fear.
He expressed confidence that those Naxalites who lay down their arms will be able to join the mainstream and progress, but those who choose the path of violence by picking up weapons will be dealt with strictly by the security forces, a Home Ministry statement said.
He further said that the Modi government is committed to making the entire country free from Naxalism by March 2026.
Shah said that those who have understood that for development, one needs a computer, not a gun in hand, and a pen, not IEDs and grenades, have all surrendered.
Noting that in the direction of ending Naxalism, 521 Naxalites have surrendered so far this year, while 881 Naxalites surrendered in 2024.
"Prime Minister Modi wants to give everything to Bastar, but this is only possible when there is peace in Bastar," he stressed.
He emphasised that children should go to school, mothers’ health should be taken care of, tribals and youth should not suffer from malnutrition, arrangements should be made for children's education, every village should have a dispensary, and there should be a hospital in every tehsil—only then can development happen.
He mentioned that this can only be achieved if the people of Bastar decide to make every village Naxal-free.
Shah also informed that the Chhattisgarh government has announced that any village that gets all Naxalites to surrender will be declared Naxal-free and will be given a development fund of one crore rupees.
"No one wants to harm anyone, and therefore Naxalites should abandon violence and come into the mainstream, as both the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh will provide protection. Naxalites, with their weapons, cannot stop the development of entire Bastar," Shah pointed.
Stating that Bastar has now become a symbol of the future, not fear, Shah said, "Earlier, due to the terror of Naxalites, politicians were stopped from holding rallies and gatherings, but times have changed. Today, they are celebrating Ram Navami, Ashtami, and the Bastar Pandum Festival in front of 50,000 tribal brothers and sisters."
He stated that where once the sound of bullets echoed, now the sound of machines is heard; where villages were once desolate, now school bells ring; where roads were once a dream, highways are being built; and where children once feared going to school, today they are connecting with the world through computers.
He added that Bastar’s development is happening because no one is associating with Naxalism anymore.
Emphasising that Bastar is now moving forward with the light of development, trust, and victory, Shah said village assemblies should be convened to encourage Naxalites to surrender and help open the path to development.
Shah further stated that when someone from Sukma becomes a Sub-Inspector, from Bastar becomes a barrister, from Dantewada becomes a doctor, and from Kanker becomes a collector, then development will take place. This is the kind of development and progress that needs to be create in Bastar.
He slammed the previous governments, accusing them of just giving the slogan of "Garibi Hatao", but did nothing for 75 years for the development of the poor.
Speaking about the Bastar Pandum programme, Shah informed that starting next year, artists from every tribal district of the country will be included in the Bastar Pandum.
He mentioned that to give international recognition to Bastar Pandum, the Modi government is working to showcase the traditions, culture, and art of Bastar by taking ambassadors from all countries on a tour of Bastar and spreading it worldwide.
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