File photo: Union home minister Amit Shah (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said Maoism has never benefited any society and has only caused destruction wherever it existed, citing countries such as Colombia, Peru and Cambodia. He reiterated 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 urged Naxalites to surrender and return to the mainstream, assuring them of respectful rehabilitation, according to news agency PTI.He said the Chhattisgarh government’s Maoist rehabilitation policy was among the most attractive in the country and appealed especially for young tribal girls still involved in the movement to lay down arms. “They must be sent for rehabilitation as their whole lives lie ahead of them,” Shah said.Warning for armed cadres, assurance for those who surrenderThe home minister made it clear that while surrendered Naxalites would face no harm, armed violence would be dealt with firmly. “If someone holds weapons, the response will also be with weapons. Maoism never benefitted any society and spread destruction wherever it existed, including nations like Colombia, Peru and Cambodia,” Shah said, adding that Maoists who plant IEDs or attack schools and hospitals will not be spared.He said such acts often harm innocent tribals and children, leaving them dead or permanently disabled, and questioned the cruelty behind such violence. Shah also blamed Maoists for shutting schools for decades, leading to widespread illiteracy in the region.Development push transforms BastarShah said Bastar is now witnessing rapid development, with schools reopening, roads being built, mobile towers installed and villages getting 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 said.He outlined a roadmap covering seven districts of Bastar, aiming to provide electricity to all villages by December 2027, ensure mobile connectivity everywhere, and open a post office or bank branch within every five kilometres. Paddy will be procured from tribals at Rs 3,100 per quintal, LPG cylinders provided to households and tap water connections ensured in every home, he added.Tourism, industry and irrigation plansWith Naxalism declining, Shah said the government is promoting new tourism initiatives such as adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks and glass bridges to strengthen Bastar’s economy. He also announced 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 and generate 120 MW of electricity.Preserving Bastar’s culture and heritageStressing that guns and explosives cannot define Bastar’s identity, Shah said its true identity lies in its culture and heritage. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to take Bastar’s culture to the rest of the country and the world.Thanking security forces including the Chhattisgarh Police, CRPF, ITBP and BSF, Shah also expressed gratitude to the families of personnel who lost their lives in anti-Naxal operations.He said 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 to showcase their art and dine there.The 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.Centre confident of meeting March deadlineYersterday, Shah had said the Centre’s strategy against Left-Wing Extremism was delivering results and that Naxalism would be eradicated before March 31. After a recent security review meeting in Raipur, he said a mix of security operations, infrastructure development, disruption of Maoist funding and an effective surrender policy had weakened the insurgency.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 operations and rehabilitation efforts.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHow Sanae Takaichi’s Japan Elections Win Could Alter Indo-Pacific Power Balance, India’s StrategyPariksha Pe Charcha 2026: PM Modi Advises Students on Discipline and More for Viksit Bharat 2047’White Collar Terrorism…’: Ex-DGMO AK Bhatt On Biggest Challenge For The Army In Jammu & KashmirCombat Proven SCALP Missiles Push India, France Defence Ties Into Next Phase After Op Sindoor”My Wife Visited Pak For Work-Related Purpose”: Gaurav Gogoi Rebukes Assam CM Allegiation’Speaker Personally Committed’: Rahul Gandhi-Kiren Rijiju Showdown In Lok Sabha Over LoP Speech’False, Baseless’: Congress Women MPs Write To LS Speaker Om Birla, Reject Threat To PM Modi ChargeChenab Becomes Strategic Weapon After IWT Pause As India Pushes Mega Dams And Resets Leverage ShiftDelhi Schools On High Alert After Khalistan Bomb Threat Emails Trigger Panic Across National CapitalPM Modi Elevates Seychelles In Vision Mahasagar As India Pushes Maritime Security And Blue Economy123PhotostoriesFrom Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘DDLJ’ to Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Rockstar’: Lesser-known stories you probably didn’t know8 classic green banana dishes to try for dinnerWhat’s in Zones 1 to 5 of Ranthambore National Park that’s attracting wildlife tourists?‘The 50’: From Prince Narula to Mr Faisu, Karan Patel and more- Net worth of top 10 popular contestantsOnce set on a legal career, THIS Rajesh Khanna confidant went on to become Bollywood’s most iconic on-screen Police inspectorFeng shui lucky charm based on your birth dateMaharashtra’s Malang Gad hill gets a facelift: India’s longest funicular railway boosts pilgrimage and trekkingBengaluru’s Blue Line: Veeranapalya station to get 3 storeys, shopping hubBengal’s Fish Curry is Rani Mukherji’s ultimate comfort food: Here’s how to make it at homeFrom Catherine O’Hara to Brad Arnold: Celebrities we lost in January and February 2026123Hot PicksUAE Public School RegistrationGold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingParliament Budget SesssionCooper Kupp WifeCardi BJaxon SmithCoco JonesCandace OwensStefon DiggsTom BradyBad BunnyNBA Trade Update
File photo: Union home minister Amit Shah (Picture credit: PTI)
NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday said Maoism has never benefited any society and has only caused destruction wherever it existed, citing countries such as Colombia, Peru and Cambodia. He reiterated 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 urged Naxalites to surrender and return to the mainstream, assuring them of respectful rehabilitation, according to news agency PTI.He said the Chhattisgarh government’s Maoist rehabilitation policy was among the most attractive in the country and appealed especially for young tribal girls still involved in the movement to lay down arms. “They must be sent for rehabilitation as their whole lives lie ahead of them,” Shah said.
Warning for armed cadres, assurance for those who surrender
The home minister made it clear that while surrendered Naxalites would face no harm, armed violence would be dealt with firmly. “If someone holds weapons, the response will also be with weapons. Maoism never benefitted any society and spread destruction wherever it existed, including nations like Colombia, Peru and Cambodia,” Shah said, adding that Maoists who plant IEDs or attack schools and hospitals will not be spared.He said such acts often harm innocent tribals and children, leaving them dead or permanently disabled, and questioned the cruelty behind such violence. Shah also blamed Maoists for shutting schools for decades, leading to widespread illiteracy in the region.
Development push transforms Bastar
Shah said Bastar is now witnessing rapid development, with schools reopening, roads being built, mobile towers installed and villages getting 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 said.He outlined a roadmap covering seven districts of Bastar, aiming to provide electricity to all villages by December 2027, ensure mobile connectivity everywhere, and open a post office or bank branch within every five kilometres. Paddy will be procured from tribals at Rs 3,100 per quintal, LPG cylinders provided to households and tap water connections ensured in every home, he added.
Tourism, industry and irrigation plans
With Naxalism declining, Shah said the government is promoting new tourism initiatives such as adventure tourism, homestays, canopy walks and glass bridges to strengthen Bastar’s economy. He also announced 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 and generate 120 MW of electricity.
Preserving Bastar’s culture and heritage
Stressing that guns and explosives cannot define Bastar’s identity, Shah said its true identity lies in its culture and heritage. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to take Bastar’s culture to the rest of the country and the world.Thanking security forces including the Chhattisgarh Police, CRPF, ITBP and BSF, Shah also expressed gratitude to the families of personnel who lost their lives in anti-Naxal operations.He said 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 to showcase their art and dine there.The 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.
Centre confident of meeting March deadline
Yersterday, Shah had said the Centre’s strategy against Left-Wing Extremism was delivering results and that Naxalism would be eradicated before March 31. After a recent security review meeting in Raipur, he said a mix of security operations, infrastructure development, disruption of Maoist funding and an effective surrender policy had weakened the insurgency.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 operations and rehabilitation efforts.
