Chhattisgarh has made notable progress in combating Left Wing Extremism (LWE), with security forces neutralising 450 Maoists and arresting 1,578 individuals over the past 20 months, Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai said on Friday. Speaking at the Independence Day event at Police Parade Grounds, Mr. Sai credited the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah for steering the country toward a Maoist-free India by March 2026.
Development Follows Security Gains
The Chief Minister highlighted that enhanced security has paved the way for development in erstwhile Maoist strongholds. Schools have reopened, electricity has reached remote villages, and banking services are now operational in previously inaccessible areas. Mr. Sai cited the Chintagufa Health Centre in Tadmetla (Sukma district), which now holds a national quality certificate and provides free medical services to thousands of villagers.
Maoist Leadership Dismantled and Surrender Policy Successful
Top Maoist leaders, including Basavaraju and Sudhakar, were killed in encounters, and 1,589 Maoists surrendered under the state government’s rehabilitation policy during this period. Mr. Sai emphasized that good governance ensures benefits reach even the most remote communities.
Bastar Sees Educational and Infrastructure Growth
With the decline of Naxalism, Bastar region has seen 50 previously closed schools reopen and numerous villages receiving electricity for the first time. The ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ (Your Good Village) scheme has delivered basic amenities to 327 villages, and Pamed, a former Maoist stronghold, now hosts a functioning bank branch.
Strategic Development Initiatives and Investments
Mr. Sai highlighted ongoing initiatives to transform Nava Raipur Atal Nagar into a hub for education, science, and IT. Plans include establishing a science city, a National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, and a Livelihood Centre of Excellence. Skill Development Centres across all 32 blocks of tribal-dominated Bastar aim to prepare youth for employment and entrepreneurship. The state has attracted investment proposals worth Rs. 6.65 lakh crore through various investor summits.
Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Women Empowerment Programs
Future infrastructure projects include railway expansion matching historical levels and the Rs. 50,000-crore Bodhghat multipurpose project, generating 200 MW of electricity and providing irrigation over seven lakh hectares. Mr. Sai urged citizens to support the ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign and promote self-reliance in agriculture and industry.
The state government has also prioritized women empowerment through the ‘Mahatari Vandan Yojana’, providing Rs. 1,000 monthly assistance to 70 lakh married women, and farmer welfare through the ‘Krishak Unnati Yojana’, offering record prices for paddy and input support for other crops. Education reforms ensure equitable teacher-student ratios even in remote areas of Sukma.
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