Healing the Wounds of Naxalism: HM Amit Shah Says Centre Stands Like a Rock with Chhattisgarh to Ensure Dignified Life for Every Victim

Erase Every Trace of Naxalism, Make Bastar Smile Again: Amit Shah

Naxal-Free Bastar Will Be India’s Most Developed Tribal Region: CM Vishnu Deo Sai

From Security to Seva: 200+ Security Camps to Become ‘Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera’

Bastar’s Transformation – From IED Victims to Self-Reliance: 768 Divyangjans Get Free Prosthetics in Dantewada

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah on Wednesday said that with the end of Naxalism, the nation’s foremost duty is to heal its deep wounds, rehabilitate every victim and ensure a life of dignity for all.

“Naxalism inflicted five decades of profound pain on Bastar’s poor and tribal families. Now, we must erase every last trace of it and make Bastar vibrant, happy and prosperous once again,” Shah said, asserting that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India is fully committed to the rehabilitation of every Divyangjan and every individual affected by Naxal violence. “To fulfill this resolve, the Centre stands like a rock with the Government of Chhattisgarh.”

The Home Minister was addressing via video conferencing the second phase of a free artificial limbs and assistive devices distribution camp organized in Dantewada under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedicated service as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai also joined the programme virtually.

The three-day camp, being held from October 15 to 17 in Dantewada in collaboration with the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur, will benefit 768 Divyangjans from three districts – 509 from Dantewada, 197 from Bijapur and 62 from Sukma.

Ending the Pain, Not Just the Terror

Shah noted that service campaigns are being organized across the country to commemorate PM Modi’s 25 years of public service. In Chhattisgarh, the focus is on easing the lives of tribal brothers and sisters disabled by Naxal violence.

He recalled that over 3,600 Divyangjans, including more than 1,570 from Bastar alone, had benefited from a similar camp held in Jagdalpur from October 5-7, a figure that reflects the sheer scale of suffering endured by Bastar’s people.

“Naxals disabled innocent civilians through IED blasts. There can be no greater violation of human rights,” Shah said. He reiterated that the Modi government had resolved to eliminate Naxalism from the country before March 31, 2026, and that goal has now been achieved.

“Merely ending Naxalism will not end five decades of pain. We must apply balm to these wounds, help those affected by Naxal violence stand on their own feet again, and ensure their dignified rehabilitation,” he said. The distribution of wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, hearing aids, smart walking sticks and artificial limbs, he added, can bring new happiness to their lives.

Bastar Olympics, Pandum and Niyad Nellanar: The New Face of Bastar

Commending the state government’s efforts, Shah said initiatives like Bastar Olympics, Bastar Pandum, Niyad Nellanar and Mukhyamantri Gramin Bus Yojana have been instrumental in making Bastar smile again.

“Where once the sounds of bullets and bomb blasts echoed and an atmosphere of fear prevailed, today thousands of youth are participating in sports and celebrating their traditions. Bastar Olympics has given them a platform to showcase talent, while Bastar Pandum has revived tribal art and culture,” he said.

Through the Niyad Nellanar Yojana, basic amenities are finally reaching remote areas that remained deprived for five decades.

Massive Rehabilitation Push: 8,526 Surrendered, Thousands Empowered

Detailing the rehabilitation achievements, the Home Minister said around 8,526 Naxals have surrendered. As part of mainstreaming efforts:

• Bank accounts opened for 7,328 unbanked individuals
• Reward money given to 1,620 and incentive money to 7,882 people
• Jobs provided to 455 and land allotted to 129
• 4,014 houses under PM Awas Yojana, 2,308 tribals given skill training
• 6,763 new ration cards issued, free electricity to 2,808 families
• 372 new road projects and 670 culverts under construction
• 48,526 Aadhaar cards made and 44 panchayats awarded under Ilwad Panchayat Puraskar

From Security Camps to Seva Deras

In a landmark announcement, Shah said that of the over 500 security camps established during the anti-Naxal operations, more than 200 will now be developed as ‘Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera’.

“Where security personnel once sat to ensure safety, officers of the Government of India and Chhattisgarh will now sit to lay the foundation of a developed Bastar. These erstwhile security centres will become centres of service and development,” he said.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai: Naxal-Free Bastar Will Lead India’s Tribal Development

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that with the visionary leadership of PM Modi and the firm resolve of HM Amit Shah, Chhattisgarh has been freed from the decades-old challenge of Naxalism. He termed it a historic achievement made possible by the indomitable courage and sacrifice of security forces and the cooperation of Bastar’s people.

Paying homage to martyred soldiers and innocent villagers who lost their lives to Naxal violence, Sai said, “There was a time when it was hard to believe Naxalism would ever end in Chhattisgarh. But under PM Modi’s guidance and HM Shah’s determination, we have achieved this goal.”

“Because of Naxalism, Bastar lagged behind in the race for development. Now is the time to take this region forward at great speed. Our resolve is to make Bastar the most developed tribal region in the country,” the CM asserted.

Taking Development to the Last Mile

CM Sai said the state government is taking the light of development to remote areas through the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme. Over 500 villages have been electrified and connected with roads, while tap water and telecom facilities are being rapidly expanded. 431 schools have been opened and health and ration shop facilities are being established within villages themselves.

The first Seva Dera has been launched in Netanar, the village of legendary tribal leader Shaheed Veer Gundadhur. Locals are being trained in stitching, embroidery, tamarind packaging and traditional Dheki-based rice processing. Future Seva Deras will offer livelihood training based on local resources and needs.

For holistic development, the CM announced a focus on agriculture, animal husbandry and irrigation, including providing two cows each to families to promote dairy and sanctioning nearly Rs 2,000 crore for major irrigation projects on the Indravati river at Deurgaon and Matnar, which will irrigate 80,000 acres of farmland.

Stories of New Hope

Interacting with beneficiaries, HM Shah heard stories of resilience. Madkam Munna, a Divyang police jawan from Sukma who lost his left leg in a 2013 IED blast during patrolling, said he is walking again after receiving an artificial leg and is ready to serve the nation once more.

Chandraiya Sapka from Dharmaram, Bijapur, speaking in his native Gondi dialect, shared how he lost his right leg in a 2012 IED blast while going fishing in the Chintavagu river. Getting an artificial leg has allowed him to walk again, calling it the most emotional moment of his life.

Ajay Sori and Kosi Podiyam from Dantewada, who are congenitally orthopedically disabled, expressed joy upon receiving tricycles that will ease their daily mobility.

The beneficiaries thanked the Central and State Governments and partner institutions for the sensitive initiative, marking a new chapter from fear to facilities in Naxal-free Bastar.