Surrender and embrace peaceful development, Home Minister Amit Shah appeals to Maoists
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday extended a heartfelt appeal to those involved in Maoist activities to lay down arms and walk the path of peace and development.
The Home Minister, who was visiting Chhattisgarh’s Bastar to participate in the “Bastar Pandum festival” and to review the anti-Maoist initiatives launched by the Union government with an ambitious goal of a Maoist-free India by 2026, stressed the importance of reintegrating into the mainstream and contributing to the developmental strides being made under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“No one rejoices in the loss of life, not even when it is that of a Naxal (Maoist). The Prime Minister envisions a flourishing Bastar, but such a vision can only be realised in an atmosphere of peace,” he said in this address at the festival event.
Painting a hopeful picture, he called upon the people to imagine a Bastar where children freely attend school, every village has access to medical facilities, and each individual benefits from seven kg of free rice and comprehensive health insurance.
“These aspirations can only come to fruition when the people of Bastar collectively resolve to rid their villages of Naxalism (Maoism),” he said.
To incentivise this transformation, Amit Shah cited the announcement of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who pledged Rs 1 crore to any village that achieves the goal of becoming Maoist-free.
“I urge you to surrender your arms and join us in this collective journey of progress and development,” he appealed.
Highlighting Prime Minister Modi and his government’s commitment to uplift the marginalised, Shah cited the elevation of Odisha’s impoverished tribal daughter, Droupadi Murmu, to the post of President. He expressed hope that she would attend next year’s Pandum festival, a gesture that would inspire and honour the region.
Drawing a contrast between his government’s efforts and the “inaction” of previous Congress administrations, Shah listed the unprecedented accomplishments under PM Modi’s leadership: the construction of 4 crore houses, 12 crore toilets, the provision of tap water to 15 crore households, free rations for 80 crore people, and free medical treatment for 70 crore citizens.
“While the Congress failed to act, this government has delivered,” he asserted.
Referring to recent surrenders, Shah highlighted that over 500 individuals had chosen to abandon the path of violence this year. He assured those who surrendered a place in the mainstream but warned that those persisting in Maoist activities would face resolute action from the security forces.