Shah: Chhattisgarh offers ₹1 crore per Naxal‑free village; 500 surrendered — forces will eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026
Jagdalpur
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday ruled out any dialogue with Maoist groups, urging them to surrender or face elimination. Speaking during Bastar’s Dussehra celebrations, Shah said neither the Centre nor the Chhattisgarh government was willing to negotiate. “When the best rehabilitation policy is in place and nearly Rs 5 lakh crore has been invested in Chhattisgarh’s development over the past decade, what is left to talk about?” he asked.
His remarks followed pamphlets and letters from Maoist factions showing interest in talks with the state government. Shah stressed that the government’s position is clear: surrender or face forceful action.
Addressing a gathering in Jagdalpur, he appealed to villagers to encourage Maoists to lay down arms and join the state’s development journey. He highlighted that Rs 4.40 lakh crore had already been disbursed for development projects, bringing new industries, schools, hospitals, and housing. “Prime Minister Modi has ensured more than 15,000 homes for families affected by Naxal violence,” he added.
Shah noted that Chhattisgarh offers Rs 1 crore to each Naxal-free village for development. “Five hundred Maoists have surrendered in the past month. If they do not surrender, our forces are prepared to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026,” he warned.
Official data shows security forces intensified operations, leading to 985 Maoist surrenders, 1,177 arrests, and 305 deaths in encounters in the last 13 months. In Bijapur district alone, 410 Maoists, including senior leaders, have surrendered this year. The government links security operations with infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment to weaken Maoist influence.
