Chhattisgarh Assembly passes resolution thanking Centre for support in ending Naxalism

Raipur, Jul 14 (PTI) Following a nearly 6-hour-long discussion boycotted by the Congress, the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Tuesday night passed a resolution expressing gratitude to the Centre for its "historic support" in eliminating Naxalism from the state. The resolution, moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap on the second day of the Assembly's monsoon session, was adopted in the absence of Opposition Congress members, who did not participate in the debate. The resolution stated that "Chhattisgarh had faced the grave challenge of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) for decades, during which many civilians and security personnel made the supreme sacrifice. With the active cooperation of the Central Government, our government has effectively brought this challenge under control and put an end to the menace of Naxalism." Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Union government provided Central Armed Forces, strategic cooperation, and necessary resources for security, while extending unprecedented support for development activities in Naxal-affected areas, it said. As a result of the state's firm resolve and the Centre's security and development policies, Chhattisgarh is now free from Naxalism. "Therefore, this House expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the Central Government for its historic cooperation," added the resolution. Participating in the discussion, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Chhattisgarh has entered a new era of peace, security and development after overcoming the decades-long challenge of Naxal violence through coordinated efforts of the Centre and the state government, courage of security forces and support of the people of Bastar. He paid tributes to security personnel who lost their lives in the fight against Naxalism and lauded the Central Armed Police Forces, Chhattisgarh Police, district police, special security units and other agencies for their dedication. Sai noted that the Centre, under PM Modi, adopted a coordinated security-and-development strategy for Maoist-affected areas, while Union Home Minister Shah ensured continuous review of anti-Naxal operations, availability of resources and close coordination between the Centre and the state. The CM alleged that the previous UPA government did not extend adequate support to Chhattisgarh in tackling LWE and accused the previous Congress government in the state (2018-23) of "protecting and encouraging" Naxalism. He claimed Congress leaders had described dreaded Maoist commander Hidma as a "role model". Sai said Shah announced a time-bound mission to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026, a goal that initially appeared difficult but was achieved through sustained operations, better intelligence gathering and continuous monitoring. He said equal emphasis had been placed on rehabilitation of surrendered Maoists through a comprehensive policy offering financial assistance, land, skill development, self-employment opportunities and support for their reintegration into society. The CM asserted the campaign against Naxalism was not confined to security operations alone but was complemented by accelerated development in areas where security had improved. He said the government has prepared the 'Bastar Roadmap 2.0' for the region's long-term and inclusive development. Under the 'Niyad Nellanar 2.0' and 'Bastar Munne Abhiyan' initiatives, saturation coverage of 31 government schemes and 14 community facilities is being being implemented, benefiting more than 39 lakh people in 5,542 villages, the CM told the House. Security camps are also being transformed into multi-service centres, as 'Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Dera', providing civic amenities, government services and livelihood opportunities, Sai said. He said health screening of over 34 lakh people had been completed under the 'Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan', with digital health profiles being prepared to improve healthcare delivery. Under the 'Niyad Nellanar' scheme, 43 individual and community welfare schemes of 17 departments had been implemented in 525 villages located within a 10-km radius of security camps, Sai noted. He said 421 of the 458 schools that had remained closed in 240 Naxal-affected villages in Bastar had been reopened, while 36 new schools had been sanctioned for the region. Sai highlighted infrastructure development, and said work on the Rs 3,513-crore Jagdalpur-Rowghat rail project has been progressing rapidly and air connectivity to Jagdalpur had been expanded. Skill development centres had been established in all development blocks of Bastar to improve employment opportunities for youth, he maintained. Before the resolution was adopted, Assembly Speaker Raman Singh described the discussion on it as a "historic occasion" and said it would be remembered by future generations. Calling it "the end of a mega battle and the beginning of a journey of peace and development", Singh said many members became emotional during the discussion as they recalled the violence they had witnessed and the loved ones they had lost. Recalling his tenure as chief minister (2003-18), Singh said his government had strengthened the anti-Naxal campaign by recruiting one lakh police personnel numbers of police personnel, raising the District Reserve Guard (DRG), establishing the Jungle Warfare College and launching the Salwa Judum movement, though the initiative was later struck down by the Supreme Court. "There was a time when officers posted in Bastar found it difficult to get married because people feared the region. Yet they continued to fight against Naxalism. We have won one of the biggest battles in the world," Singh said. PTI TKP RSY