| Maoism never benefitted society, only caused destruction: Amit Shah | | |  Early Times Report
Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), Feb 9: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said Maoism never benefitted any society and spread destruction wherever it existed, citing examples of nations like Colombia, Peru and Cambodia.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-day division-level ‘Bastar Pandum 2026’ cultural event at Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, Shah reiterated that the Naxal menace will be uprooted completely from the nation by March 31. He appealed to Naxalites to surrender and join the mainstream, promising them dignified rehabilitation.
“The Maoist rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government is the most attractive,” the minister asserted.
He also expressed concern over the fact that the remaining Naxals still holding out included young tribal girls.
“They must be sent for rehabilitation as their whole lives lie ahead of them,” Shah said.
While assuring that surrendered Naxals would not face any harm, Shah also warned that those who continue to fire bullets, plant IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and torch schools and hospitals will not be spared.
“Armed violence will be met with a firm response. 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,” he said.
“We do not want to fight with anyone. Our fight is to protect our tribal brothers and sisters. When IEDs are planted, innocent tribals and children can be killed or permanently disabled. Where does this cruelty come from?” Shah said while urging the remaining Naxalites to lay down their arms.
Maoists shut down schools for decades, depriving generations of education and creating large-scale illiteracy, he rued.
“But Bastar is now on the path of fast development, with schools reopening, roads being built, mobile towers installed, post offices opened, and electricity and drinking water being extended to villages. It is our resolve that Bastar will become the country’s most developed tribal-dominated division within the next five years,” Shah said.
The government has prepared a roadmap to accelerate development in the Bastar region, comprising seven districts, aiming to provide electricity to all villages by December 2027, ensure mobile connectivity in every village, and open a post office or bank branch within every five km, Shah added. |
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