Decades of Naxal Violence Impacted Development, Education and Public Life, Now Bastar Moves Towards a New Era of Peace and Trust - Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sahay

Raipur, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sahay said in the Chhattisgarh Assembly today that he is grateful for the historic cooperation of the central government in freeing the state from Naxalism. He said that for decades Chhattisgarh faced a serious challenge in the form of Naxal violence. Now, with coordinated efforts of the centre and state, the indomitable courage of security forces and the trust and cooperation of the people of Bastar, the state has decisively overcome this challenge and entered a new era of peace, security and development. He stated that this success is the result of many years of sustained effort, well‑planned strategy, the valour of security forces and the cooperation of ordinary citizens. The Chief Minister paid humble tribute to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the fight against Naxalism, saying their sacrifice will always inspire the nation. He praised the courage, dedication and professional efficiency of the Central Armed Police Forces, Chhattisgarh Police, district police, special security units and all agencies participating in the campaign. He noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership the centre adopted a coordinated security‑and‑development strategy for Naxal‑affected areas. Under the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, continuous review of security campaigns, availability of resources and better coordination between centre and state ensured the required momentum. He said that after the high‑level meeting of police chief ministers of Naxal‑affected states held in Raipur on 24 August 2024, a time‑bound action plan for the total eradication of Naxalism was prepared. Accordingly, security operations were accelerated and development works were expanded in parallel. He said the state government also regularly reviews the campaign. He himself repeatedly toured the Bastar region, encouraging security personnel and interacting with local citizens in various villages. Chief Minister Sahay said that the state government has also given special emphasis to integrating people who have abandoned violence into mainstream society. For this purpose a comprehensive and humane rehabilitation policy for surrendering Naxals has been implemented. He explained that under the rehabilitation policy surrendering persons are provided with financial assistance, land, skill‑development training, self‑employment opportunities and dignified livelihoods. A large number of people have chosen to leave the path of violence and return to mainstream society. He added that the policy is not limited to rehabilitation alone but is a vital step towards establishing lasting peace in society. He stated that the anti‑Naxal campaign was not limited to security alone; development was given equal priority. The state ensured that in areas where security arrangements are strengthening, government schemes and basic amenities also reach quickly, bringing permanent and positive change in people’s lives. He said that after liberation from Naxalism the state’s full focus is on the comprehensive, inclusive and long‑term development of Bastar. For this ‘Bastar Roadmap 2.0’ has been prepared, through which planned work is being carried out to develop Bastar as the country’s leading tribal division. He informed that under the ‘Niyad Nella Nar 2.0’ and ‘Bastar Munne Campaign’ 31 schemes and 14 community facilities are being implemented in saturation mode, benefiting more than 5 542 000 people in 5 542 villages, and delivering services up to the last mile. He said security camps are now being developed as multi‑dimensional service centres called ‘Shaheed Gundadhur Service Camps’, providing citizen facilities, public services and livelihood activities in one place. He reported that under the ‘Healthy Bastar’ campaign more than 3.4 million people in Bastar have been health‑screened and digital health profiles created, facilitating timely and better health services. He said the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme is a key instrument of this transformation. Within a 10 km radius of security camps, 525 villages have seen effective implementation of 43 individual and community schemes from 17 departments, delivering integrated benefits and strengthening trust in the administration. He explained that a special drive has been undertaken to saturate central and state welfare schemes in Bastar. As a result, ration cards have been issued to 6 79 000 families, Jan Dhan accounts opened for 1.7 million people, Aadhaar cards for 2.466 million, Ayushman cards for 2.2 million, individual forest rights letters for 1.18 lakh, and farmer credit cards for 3.89 lakh. He said extensive work is also being done in housing, education and health. In Bastar division 1.76 lakh Prime Minister’s housing schemes have been approved, along with 15 thousand houses for families affected by Naxal violence and surrendered Naxals. He noted that out of 458 schools that were previously closed in 240 Naxal‑affected villages of Bastar, 421 schools have been reopened and 36 new schools approved. He added that the state is rapidly expanding basic infrastructure: the Jagdalpur‑Ravghat rail project costing ₹3,513 crore is underway, strengthening rail connectivity, and air services in Jagdalpur have also been expanded, improving regional connectivity. He said the Raipur‑Visakhapatnam expressway is in its final stage, which will link Bastar with major economic and industrial hubs, giving new impetus to tourism, trade and investment. He mentioned that skill‑training centres are being run in all development blocks of Bastar to make youth employable. He said that through sports and cultural events such as Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum, more than 4 lakh people have participated, fostering social cohesion, cultural pride and public participation. He praised Home Minister Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap and Jagdalpur MLA Kiran Singh Dev for their contribution to the Naxal‑eradication fight. He concluded that the government’s aim is not merely to extend basic facilities but to bring lasting improvement to the living standards of Bastar’s people. Through an integrated strategy of security, development and welfare, Bastar is moving forward towards trust, opportunity and prosperity.