Raipur: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah has said that after the end of Naxalism, it is our biggest responsibility to heal the wounds inflicted by it, rehabilitate the victims, and provide them with opportunities to live a life of dignity. Naxalism has caused immense suffering to the poor and tribal families of Bastar for five decades. Now we have to erase every trace of Naxalism and make Bastar happy, prosperous, and prosperous again. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government is fully committed to the rehabilitation of every disabled person and person affected by Naxalite violence. The Government of India stands like a rock with the Government of Chhattisgarh in fulfilling this pledge.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah was addressing via video conferencing today the free artificial limb and assistive devices distribution ceremony for the disabled in Dantewada as part of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', organized to commemorate the completion of 25 years of service and dedication of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. He inaugurated the second phase of the camp. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai also joined the program via video conferencing.

A total of 768 disabled people from Dantewada, Bijapur, and Sukma districts will benefit from prosthetic limbs and various assistive devices at a three-day camp being held in Dantewada from October 15th to 17th. These include 509 from Dantewada district, 197 from Bijapur, and 62 from Sukma. The camp is being organized in collaboration with Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur, and partner organizations.

*Naxalism has ended, now its pain and traces also have to be eradicated: Shri Amit Shah*

In his address, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that to mark Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 25 years of public service as Chief Minister and Prime Minister, campaigns are being launched across the country. In this vein, efforts are being made to make the lives of disabled tribal brothers and sisters affected by Naxalite violence in Chhattisgarh easier by providing them with prosthetic limbs and assistive devices.

He said that more than 3,600 disabled people benefited from the camp held in Jagdalpur from October 5-7, 2026. Bastar alone accounted for more than 1,570 of these beneficiaries. This number reflects the suffering that poor and tribal families in Bastar have endured for decades.

Union Home Minister Shri Shah said that Naxalites maimed innocent civilians through IED blasts. There could be no greater human rights violation than this. He said that the Modi government had resolved to eliminate Naxalism from the country before March 31, 2026, and today Naxalism has been eradicated.

The Union Home Minister said that simply eliminating Naxalism will not end the suffering of five decades. We must heal these wounds. We must restore those affected by Naxalite violence and ensure they live a dignified life.

He said that providing disabled brothers and sisters with equipment like wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, hearing aids, smart walking sticks, and prosthetic limbs can bring new joy to their lives. Numerous organizations, including the Chhattisgarh government, the district administration, the Social Welfare Department, the Bhagwan Mahavir Handicapped Assistance Committee, Jaipur, and the Bharatiya Jain Sangh, have made significant contributions to this service.

Union Home Minister Shri Shah also appreciated the cooperation of the traditional tribal leadership of Bastar and said that the local tribal community has played an important role in the fight against Naxalism and efforts to bring positive change in Bastar.

*The picture of Bastar is changing with Bastar Olympics, Bastar Pandum and Niyyad Nellanar*

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah praised the Chhattisgarh government's efforts towards peace and development in Bastar. He said that the state government has made significant progress in bringing Bastar back to life through initiatives such as the Bastar Olympics, Bastar Pandum, Niyed Nella Nar, and the Chief Minister's Rural Bus Scheme.

He said that in Bastar, where the sounds of gunfire and bomb blasts once echoed and an atmosphere of fear prevailed, thousands of youth are now participating in sports and keeping their traditions alive. The Bastar Olympics have given young people an opportunity to showcase their talents. Bastar Pandum has also been a major effort to revive tribal art, culture, and traditions.

Mr. Shah said that through the Niyada Nellanar scheme, basic amenities are being provided to remote areas of Bastar. Areas that lacked access to essential services for five decades are now experiencing the expansion of basic infrastructure and public welfare schemes.

*Important initiative towards rehabilitation of 8,526 surrendered Naxalites*

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, while highlighting the achievements in rehabilitation and development in Naxal-affected areas, said that about 8,526 Naxalites have surrendered.

He said that bank accounts have been opened for 7,328 people who did not have bank accounts. Reward money has been provided to 1,620 people and incentives to 7,882 people. Similarly, 455 people have been given jobs and 129 have been allotted land.

He said that 4,014 houses have been provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Additionally, 2,308 tribal people have been provided with skills training so that they can become self-reliant through employment and self-employment.

The Union Home Minister reported that 6,763 new ration cards have been created and 2,808 families have been provided with free electricity. To expand transportation and connectivity in the region, 372 new road projects have been initiated and 670 culverts are being constructed.

He said that Aadhar cards of 48,526 people have been made and 44 panchayats have been awarded under Ilwad Panchayat Award.

Shri Shah said that these efforts are important steps towards connecting the people of Naxal-affected areas with the mainstream of development and bringing permanent and positive change in their lives.

*More than 200 security camps will be set up under 'Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera'*

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, while highlighting a significant initiative towards the development of Bastar, said that more than 500 security camps were established during the anti-Naxal campaign. More than 200 of these security camps will now be developed as "Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera."

He said that in the same camps where security forces personnel used to sit and ensure the safety of the people, now the officials of the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh will sit and lay the foundation of a developed Bastar.

Shri Shah expressed confidence that through these public service centres, the works of development and public welfare in Bastar will get a new impetus and the resolve of building a developed Bastar will be realised.

*Our aim is to make Naxal-free Bastar the most developed tribal area of ​​the country: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai*

In his address, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the strong will of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, Chhattisgarh has been liberated from the decades-old challenge of Naxalism. This historic achievement was made possible by the indomitable courage, valor, and sacrifice of our valiant security forces and the cooperation of the people of Bastar.

The Chief Minister paid his respectful homage to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the fight against Naxalism and the innocent villagers who lost their lives in Naxalite violence.

He said that there was a time when it seemed difficult to believe that Naxalism would be completely eradicated from Chhattisgarh. But with the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the determination of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, we have achieved this goal today.

Chief Minister Shri Sai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah on behalf of the three crore people of Chhattisgarh and especially the people of Bastar.

He said that the people of Bastar fully cooperated with the security forces in this decisive battle against Naxalism. The people here wanted freedom from fear and violence. They wanted to join the mainstream of peace, security, and development. This public trust and cooperation played a crucial role in the success of this campaign.

The Chief Minister said that due to Naxalism, Bastar lagged behind in the race for development. Now is the time to move this region forward on the path of rapid development. Our government is committed to making Bastar one of the most developed tribal areas in the country.

He said that Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has assured Bastar of becoming the most developed tribal division in the country. Through coordinated efforts by the central and state governments, work is being done with full commitment to realize this goal.

Where once there was fear and violence, now there are facilities for education, health and development.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that through the 'Niyad Nellanar' scheme, the state government is bringing the light of development to those remote areas of Bastar which remained deprived of basic facilities for decades.

He said that today, more than 500 villages have access to roads and electricity. Work is being done rapidly to provide tap water to homes and expand telecommunications facilities.

The Chief Minister said that 431 schools have been opened in these areas and hospitals are being constructed to expand health facilities. The expansion of education and health services is providing better opportunities to children, women, and families in remote areas.

He said that previously, people in many villages couldn't even get ration cards. They had to endure hardships for days to obtain rations. Now, by establishing ration shops in villages, people's problems are being resolved.

The Chief Minister said that our government's effort is to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach every village and every person in Bastar. Following liberation from Naxalism, Bastar is now prioritizing the expansion of education, health, roads, electricity, drinking water, and communication facilities.

*From security camps to service centres, a new chapter of change in Bastar*

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the security camps established during the anti-Naxal campaign in Bastar played a vital role in creating an environment of peace and security. Now these camps are being developed as centers of service and development.

He stated that the state government's commitment to transforming vacant security camps into "Seva Deras" is an important initiative. These centers will offer training and livelihood activities tailored to local needs, providing employment and self-employment opportunities to youth and rural families.

The Chief Minister informed that the first Seva Dera has been started in Netanar, the village of the great leader, martyr Veer Gundadhur. Here, local people are being trained in sewing and embroidery. Livelihood activities have also been initiated, such as packaging tamarind, naturally available in the forests of Bastar, and preparing rice using the traditional dhenki method.

He said that in the coming time, various training programmes and livelihood activities will be conducted in other Seva Deras as per the local resources and needs.

The Chief Minister said that this is a new picture of the transformation taking place in Bastar. Places that once required the deployment of security forces will now create new opportunities for public service, skill development, and economic self-reliance.

*The income of Bastar families will increase with the expansion of farming, animal husbandry and irrigation facilities*

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that for the overall development of Bastar, the state government is giving special priority to agriculture, animal husbandry and local livelihood along with education, health and infrastructure.

He said that to encourage animal husbandry in the area, families are being provided with two cows each. Agreements have also been reached for dairy development, to increase the income of rural families and empower them economically.

The Chief Minister said that to expand irrigation facilities in Bastar, approximately two thousand crore rupees have been approved for major irrigation projects in Deurgaon and Matnar on the Indravati River. Upon completion, these projects will provide irrigation facilities to approximately 80,000 acres of agricultural land.

He said that with the expansion of irrigation facilities, farmers' farming will become more profitable, agricultural production will increase and the rural economy will get a new strength.

The Chief Minister said that the state government will continue to work for the overall development of Bastar with its resources and the cooperation of the Central Government.

*It is our responsibility to restore self-confidence in the lives of our disabled brothers and sisters: Chief Minister Shri Sai*

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that many innocent villagers in Bastar have lost their limbs due to Naxalite violence. IED explosions have caused lifelong pain to many families. It is our government's responsibility to make life easier for these affected brothers and sisters, to move them towards self-reliance, and to provide them with the opportunity to live a life of dignity.

He said that for this purpose, artificial limbs, calipers, tricycles, wheelchairs, hearing aids and other assistive devices are being provided to the disabled through the State Government and its associated organizations including Bhagwan Mahavir Viklang Sahayata Samiti, Jaipur.

The Chief Minister said that through the camp organized in Dantewada, a total of 768 people including 509 disabled people from Dantewada district, 197 from Bijapur and 62 from Sukma will be benefited.

He said that receiving prosthetic limbs for brothers and sisters who lost their limbs in Naxalite violence will instill new hope and confidence in their lives. These devices will prove to be a great help to those who have been struggling to walk or perform daily tasks for years.

The Chief Minister said that our effort is not only to provide assistive devices but also to provide every affected person an opportunity to live a life with self-respect and join the mainstream of the society.

He expressed his gratitude to Bhagwan Mahavir Handicapped Assistance Committee, Jaipur and other organizations for their support in this noble work.

While extending greetings for Sharadiya Navratri, the Chief Minister prayed to Maa Danteshwari for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of the people of the state.

*The campaign to alleviate the suffering of people affected by Naxal violence will continue: Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma*

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, while referring to the suffering of the families affected by Naxalite violence in the programme, said that the IED blasts planted by Naxalites have affected the lives of many innocent villagers.

He said that children playing in their villages, farmers walking along the edge of their fields, and villagers going about their daily routines fell victim to IED blasts. Some lost their hands, some their legs, and some lost their eyesight. Naxalite violence inflicted such suffering on the innocent people of Bastar that is unimaginable.

Mr. Sharma said that despite these difficult circumstances, the people of Bastar have not given up their resolve to free themselves from Naxalism. Due to this faith of the people and the courage of the security forces, Bastar is now free from Naxalism.

He said that Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah has given clear instructions that this campaign of rehabilitation and assistance to people affected by Naxalite violence should continue uninterrupted.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the state government and Bastar's public representatives are committed to providing assistance to every needy and affected individual. Our efforts will be to ensure that no one affected by Naxalite violence is deprived of rehabilitation and necessary assistance.

Prosthetic limbs bring new hope to the disabled

During the programme, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah interacted with the differently-abled people and learned about their experiences.

Madkam Munna, a disabled police officer from Sukma district, said that in 2013, his left leg was severely damaged in an IED blast while on patrol, resulting in amputation. Now, with a prosthetic leg, he is able to walk again and is ready to serve the nation again.

Chandraiah Sapka, a resident of Dharmaram in Bijapur district, recounted his ordeal in the local Gondi dialect. He said he lost his right leg in an IED blast planted by Naxalites while fishing in the Chintavagu River in 2012. After receiving a prosthetic leg at the camp, he is able to walk again. This is a very emotional and memorable moment in his life.

Similarly, Ajay Sori and Kosi Podiam, congenitally handicapped individuals from Jawanga and Metapal in Dantewada district, expressed their happiness upon receiving tricycles. They said this would greatly facilitate their daily commute.

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the Central and State Governments and the partner organizations for this sensitive initiative.

*Government committed to realizing the resolution of developed Bastar*

At the event, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah expressed confidence that Bastar, now free from Naxalism, will now move forward in a new direction of development and prosperity. He said that efforts to rehabilitate those affected by Naxalism, assist the disabled, and provide basic amenities to remote areas will continue.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the Chhattisgarh government is working with full commitment for the overall development of Bastar.

He said that after the establishment of peace and security in Bastar, doors to new possibilities have now opened in the fields of education, health, employment, agriculture, tourism, culture and infrastructure.

The Chief Minister said, "Our resolve is to ensure that every village in Naxal-free Bastar joins the mainstream of development, that every youth has the opportunity to progress, and that every family finds prosperity. The same Bastar that has endured decades of violence and fear will now become a new symbol of peace, prosperity, and development."

Bastar MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, MLA Shri Chaitram Atami, Chhattisgarh State Women Commission member Smt. Ojasvi Mandavi and other public representatives were present on the occasion.