HM Shah Sets March 2026 Deadline to End Naxalism

GG News Bureau
Jagdalpur, 13th Dec: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that Naxalism will be completely eliminated from the country, including Bastar, by March 31, 2026. Addressing the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics in Jagdalpur, he said the 2026 edition of the Games would be held in a Naxal-free Bastar.

Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government had resolved to eradicate Left Wing Extremism from India and was now on the verge of achieving that goal. He added that the Bastar division would be transformed into the most developed tribal region in the country within the next five years.

The Home Minister said the government aims to ensure housing, electricity, drinking water, toilets, gas connections, food security and free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for every resident of Bastar. He said the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, are working shoulder to shoulder to bring lasting development to the region.

Highlighting infrastructure plans, Shah said all villages in Bastar would be connected by roads, banking facilities would be available within a five-kilometre radius, and a strong network of primary and community health centres would be created. Cooperative-based units for forest produce processing, dairy development, new industries, modern sports complexes, hospitals and higher education facilities would also be established. He added that special schemes would be launched to tackle malnutrition and provide attractive rehabilitation packages for surrendered Naxalites and victims of Naxal violence.

HM Shah said it was a matter of pride that more than 700 youths who had surrendered after giving up Naxalism participated in the Bastar Olympics 2025. He said these youths had chosen hope over fear and development over destruction, reflecting the vision of a developed Bastar. He appealed to armed Naxalites to lay down their weapons, join the mainstream and avail the benefits of the rehabilitation policy, stressing that only peace can pave the way for development.

The Home Minister said participation in the Bastar Olympics had grown sharply, with 3.91 lakh players taking part this year compared to 1.65 lakh last year, marking a two-and-a-half-fold increase. He noted that women’s participation had risen nearly three times, surpassing that of men.

HM Shah said Bastar, once associated with fear and violence, is now resonating with school bells, sports and development. “Where slogans of ‘Lal Salaam’ were once raised, today slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ are heard,” he said, adding that arrangements are being made to groom talented players from Bastar to compete in future Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and several other dignitaries were present at the event.