End of Naxalism not enough: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Thursday that efforts are being made to enhance primary infrastructure and facilities in Chhattisgarh, noting that the Congress government had failed to provide even basic amenities for decades in the region formerly known as Bastar. Shah emphasized that ending Naxalism is not sufficient; the government must also address the suffering it inflicted over five decades, particularly among the region's poor tribal communities.

At a ceremony in Jagdalpur, Shah announced a disability assistance program that benefited over 3,600 people with disabilities, including around 1,570 in Bastar alone. The program provides assistive devices such as artificial limbs, wheelchairs, tricycles, hearing aids, and walking sticks to Naxalism victims. Shah assured central support for the state government's rehabilitation efforts, citing the disarming of 8,526 Naxalites, provision of bank accounts to 7,500 people, award of reward money to 1,625 individuals, distribution of incentive payments to 7,882 people, employment opportunities for 455 individuals, and land allotments to 129 recipients.

Shah also mentioned the conversion of security camps into service centers and community facilities, enabling government officials to focus on health, education, employment, and other development needs. The minister highlighted the government's initiatives like Bastar Olympics, Bastar Pandum, and Niyad Nellanar scheme, aimed at reviving tribal culture, improving infrastructure, and restoring normal life in violence-affected areas.

Shah expressed the government's determination to eliminate every trace of Naxalism and rebuild Bastar as a peaceful and prosperous region, emphasizing that simply ending Naxalism is not enough.