Amit Shah Declares March 31 Deadline for Naxal Eradication
Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a firm message on Monday, stating that the Naxal menace would be completely eliminated from India by March 31. Addressing the closing ceremony of the three-day division-level Bastar Pandum 2026 cultural festival in Jagdalpur, Shah emphasized that Maoism has never benefited any society and has only caused destruction wherever it existed.
Urging Surrender with Assurance of Rehabilitation
Shah made a direct appeal to Naxalites, urging them to surrender and return to the mainstream. He assured them of respectful rehabilitation under the Chhattisgarh government's policy, which he described as among the most attractive in the country. The home minister specifically called upon young tribal girls still involved in the movement to lay down their arms. "They must be sent for rehabilitation as their whole lives lie ahead of them," Shah said, highlighting the importance of their future.
Clear Warning to Armed Cadres
While offering a path to surrender, Shah issued a stern warning to armed Naxalites. He made it clear that while those who surrender would face no harm, armed violence would be met with a firm response. "If someone holds weapons, the response will also be with weapons," Shah stated. He cited examples of countries like Colombia, Peru, and Cambodia where Maoism spread destruction, and condemned acts such as planting IEDs or attacking schools and hospitals, which often harm innocent tribals and children.
Shah also blamed Maoists for decades of shutting down schools, leading to widespread illiteracy in the region. He questioned the cruelty behind such violence, which leaves victims dead or permanently disabled.
Bastar's Transformation Through Development
Shah highlighted the rapid development now underway in Bastar, with schools reopening, roads being built, mobile towers installed, and villages receiving electricity and drinking water. "It is our resolve that Bastar will become the country's most developed tribal-dominated division within the next five years," he declared.
He outlined a comprehensive roadmap covering seven districts of Bastar, with key targets including:
- Providing electricity to all villages by December 2027
- Ensuring mobile connectivity everywhere
- Opening a post office or bank branch within every five kilometres
- Procuring paddy from tribals at Rs 3,100 per quintal
- Providing LPG cylinders to households
- Ensuring tap water connections in every home
Promoting Tourism, Industry, and Irrigation
With Naxalism on the decline, Shah announced new initiatives to strengthen Bastar's economy. These include promoting adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks, and glass bridges. He also revealed plans for a new 118-acre industrial area to generate jobs for tribal youth.
On irrigation, Shah said projects on the Indravati river would irrigate 2.75 lakh hectares in Dantewada, Bijapur, and Sukma districts while generating 120 MW of electricity.
Preserving Bastar's Cultural Heritage
Stressing that guns and explosives cannot define Bastar's identity, Shah emphasized that its true essence lies in its culture and heritage. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to showcase Bastar's culture to the rest of the country and the world.
Shah thanked security forces, including the Chhattisgarh Police, CRPF, ITBP, and BSF, and expressed gratitude to the families of personnel who lost their lives in anti-Naxal operations. He mentioned that President Droupadi Murmu had inaugurated the Bastar Pandum event on February 7 and agreed to invite the top three winners in all 12 disciplines to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Confidence in Meeting the March Deadline
Shah reiterated the Centre's confidence in eradicating Left-Wing Extremism before March 31. He attributed recent successes to a combination of security operations, infrastructure development, disruption of Maoist funding, and an effective surrender policy. According to police data, since January 2024, more than 500 Naxalites have been killed in encounters in Chhattisgarh, around 1,900 arrested, and over 2,500 surrendered, reflecting the impact of sustained efforts.
The Bastar Pandum festival has expanded significantly this year, with competitions across 12 disciplines involving participants from seven districts, 1,885 gram panchayats, and 32 janpad headquarters, compared to seven disciplines last year.
