Daijiworld Media Network - Bhopal
Bhopal, Jun 7: Buoyed by the recent successes in anti-Naxal operations across Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced plans to personally meet the soldiers whose bravery and dedication have contributed to these hard-won victories.
In a statement shared on his official X handle, Shah praised the officers and soldiers at the forefront of the campaign against Naxalite insurgency. “Their valour, determination, and commitment have made these triumphs possible,” he said, adding that he looks forward to visiting Chhattisgarh soon to meet these frontline heroes.
The central government’s counter-insurgency drive has not only weakened one of India’s most entrenched internal threats but has also underlined the Centre’s commitment to restoring stability and accelerating development in affected regions.
During his visit to Bastar in April—where he attended the ‘Bastar Pandum’ festival—Shah reiterated that Naxals would not be allowed to obstruct the progress of tribal communities. He urged militants to surrender, assuring them that those who choose the path of peace would be welcomed back into society, while those who persist in violence would face resolute action.
He also reaffirmed the government’s goal of eradicating the Naxal threat by March 2026, pledging that any surrendered insurgent contributing to regional development would receive full protection from both the Union and state governments.
Shah emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of comprehensive development for Bastar, highlighting key areas such as education, healthcare, and essential infrastructure. “For true progress, every child must have access to education, every family must have healthcare, and every citizen must possess necessary identification and welfare benefits,” he said.
He also cited the ongoing success of the surrender initiative: 521 Naxals have laid down arms so far in 2025, following 881 surrenders in 2024. According to Shah, these figures demonstrate that many insurgents have realized that real progress comes from knowledge and innovation, not violence.
Concluding his remarks, Shah expressed confidence that a stable and prosperous future for Bastar is within reach—one built not on the remnants of conflict but on the foundations of peace and development.