Union Home Minister Amit Shah has firmly declared that there will be no discussions with Maoists, emphasizing that they must put down their arms and accept the government’s appealing surrender and rehabilitation policy by March 31, 2026. Speaking at the ‘Bastar Dussehra Lokotsav’ and ‘Swadeshi Mela’ in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Shah underscored the unwavering commitment of both the state and central governments to fostering development across Bastar and all areas impacted by Maoist activities. He urged those involved to come forward and surrender, stressing that there is nothing left to negotiate.
During his visit, Shah prayed at the revered Maa Danteshwari Temple, seeking divine strength for security forces to completely free the Bastar region from “red terror” by the stipulated deadline. He delivered a clear warning: anyone attempting to disturb Bastar’s tranquility with weapons would face a resolute response from security forces.
Challenging the long-held notion that Naxalism emerged from a fight for development, Shah asserted that it is, in fact, the root cause of Bastar’s historical deprivation. He highlighted that while essential services such as electricity, clean drinking water, proper roads, household toilets, health insurance up to ₹5 lakh, and 5 kg of free rice have reached nearly every village nationwide, Bastar has remained underdeveloped. He affirmed that the Narendra Modi government has dedicated over ₹4 lakh crore to development projects in Chhattisgarh over the past decade. On behalf of the Prime Minister, he assured the tribal communities that after March 31, 2026, Maoism would no longer obstruct their progress or infringe upon their rights.
The Union Minister implored the community to encourage individuals misguided by Maoist ideology to renounce violence and rejoin mainstream society. He also proudly noted the BJP government’s numerous initiatives aimed at honoring and empowering tribal populations within the state. Shah concluded his address by commending the 75-day-long Bastar Dussehra festival as a globally unique and culturally profound celebration of the region’s rich tribal heritage.