‘Every Trace of Naxalism Must Be Erased’: Amit Shah on Bastar’s Revival

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said every trace of Naxalism must be eliminated and Bastar must once again become a vibrant and thriving region, stressing that the end of the insurgency alone would not undo decades of suffering.

Addressing an assistive devices distribution programme through video conference, Shah said five decades of Naxalism had inflicted immense hardship on Bastar’s poor tribal communities.

The event was organised under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, which marks 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service.

Shah said the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against civilians, leaving many with disabilities for political objectives, was a grave violation of human rights.

The Modi government had committed to eliminating Naxalism across the country by March 31, 2026, and the government now considered Naxalism eliminated, Shah said. He added that rehabilitation and support for those affected by the violence remained essential.

“We must heal the wounds inflicted by this suffering, help victims stand on their feet again, and ensure they can live with dignity and respect,” he said.

Assistive Devices for Victims

Shah said the second phase of the Divyang Seva Camp was being launched as part of the campaign, with assistive devices being provided to tribal people with disabilities, including those affected by Naxal violence.

The programme was held in Jagdalpur from October 5 to 7 and benefited more than 3,600 persons with disabilities, according to Shah. Of these, more than 1,570 beneficiaries were from Bastar, highlighting the extent of the region’s suffering.

The initiative involves the Chhattisgarh government, district administration, State Social Welfare Department, Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti in Jaipur, Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana and other organisations.

Shah said the government was committed to ensuring rehabilitation for every person with a disability and every victim of violence. Wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, hearing aids, smart walking sticks, artificial limbs and other assistive devices are being distributed to help beneficiaries lead more independent lives.

Government Push to Transform Bastar

Shah also highlighted initiatives launched by the Chhattisgarh government to transform Bastar, including the Bastar Olympics, Bastar Pandum, Niyad Nellanar and the Chief Minister’s Samuhik Bus Yojana.

He said the region, once marked by gunfire, bomb blasts and fear, was increasingly seeing young people participate in sports and preserve their cultural traditions.

Shah said traditional tribal leadership had also played a significant role in efforts to bring change to the region.

“Every trace of Naxalism must be eliminated and Bastar must once again become a vibrant and thriving region,” he said.

With inputs from ANI