'First Diwali After Country Won Battle Against Naxalism': PM Modi In Chhattisgarh's Bastar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on Sunday, November 8, 2026, marking the country's first Diwali after defeating the Naxal insurgency. The Prime Minister emphasized that the nation had triumphed over decades of Maoist terror, allowing people across India to celebrate the festival without the previous fear that had afflicted certain regions for generations.

He described the occasion as particularly meaningful, stating, "Today, across the country and in every corner of the world, crores of Indians are celebrating the auspicious festival of lights. People are traveling from...". Modi praised the security forces, referring to them as part of his own family, and highlighted their sacrifices in bringing an end to the Maoist insurgency in Bastar, a stronghold of the Naxal movement.

The visit to the CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur continued the Prime Minister's annual tradition of celebrating Diwali with security personnel, now in its 13th consecutive year. In addition to the Diwali celebration, the Prime Minister acknowledged another significant achievement: the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had recorded its first year without any personnel losing their lives in the line of duty for 47 years.

This progress was credited to the sustained efforts of security forces in the region. With the end of Naxalism declared in March 2026, Bastar and the neighboring Abujhmad region had become Naxal-free by May 2026, paving the way for development initiatives such as road construction, improved connectivity, banking facilities, and infrastructure expansion.