……The country is now becoming free of Maoism. This situation has been achieved due to strong political will and effective actions by the security forces. The leadership of Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has led the country to a decisive stage in the fight against Maoist terrorism.

On the one hand, the Central Armed Police Forces, in concert with state police forces, are roaring into Maoist strongholds, forcing them to surrender, while on the other, the government’s plans are focused squarely on the development of these areas and the resurgence of local people. As a result, the Red Corridor, once shrouded in violence and insecurity, is now a beacon of development, peace, and trust.

Statistics bear out that in the past 22 months, security forces in Chhattisgarh have killed over 487 Maoists, 2,240 have surrendered, and 1,833 have been arrested. This success is a record in itself. Areas that once echoed with gunfire now boast schools, roads, hospitals, and mobile towers. The recent killings of prominent Maoist Central Committee leaders—Sudhakar, Basavaraju, and Hidma—have completely shaken the Maoist infrastructure in Chhattisgarh and other bordering states. The Karreguda operation in Bijapur has become a symbol of this change.

The Chhattisgarh government has implemented the country’s most attractive rehabilitation policy to bring surrendered Maoists and those affected by Maoism into the mainstream. Not only rehabilitation, but the financial assistance provided by the state government to surrendered Maoists also plays a vital role in achieving this goal. Under this policy, a monthly assistance of ₹10,000 has been arranged for all surrendered Maoists for three years. Residential plots have been provided in urban areas and agricultural land in rural areas.

In a significant positive shift in government policy, the rewards previously given to security forces are now being given to those who surrender. Furthermore, the rewards for the mass surrender of over 80 percent of the members have been doubled. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, has revised the surrender policy and increased the financial assistance, resulting in a surge in Maoist surrenders.

15,000 Prime Minister’s Housing Housing Schemes are under construction to rehabilitate surrendered Maoists and Maoist-affected families. Roads, health care, education, mobile connectivity, and basic services are reaching remote villages faster than ever before. 81,090 Aadhaar cards, 49,239 Ayushman cards, 5,885 Kisan Samman Nidhi cards, and 98,319 families in 403 villages are receiving free rations. 21 new roads, mobile towers, sub-health centers, and fair price shops have transformed lives.

Bastar in Chhattisgarh, once a region blessed with natural beauty, was once cursed, but today it is emerging as a new investment destination. Under the new Industrial Policy 2024-30, investment proposals worth more than ₹967 crore have been received in the local resource-based industries, steel, food processing, agro-industry, dairy, tourism, and wellness sectors. A new industrial area encompassing 118 acres has been identified around the Nagarnar Steel Plant.

Private investment of ₹1,000 crore in the MSME and service sectors, and new industries are creating over 2,100 employment opportunities. A 350-bed multi-specialty hospital and medical college are set to be established in Jagdalpur. These projects, with a total investment of over ₹700 crore, are steps towards making Bastar a medical hub. Additionally, employment, skills, and entrepreneurship are being expanded, with 90,273 youth receiving skill training and 39,137 employed, and training in IT, automotive, construction, solar, and other sectors. Modern rice mills, food processing units, and cold storage are increasing farmers’ incomes. Agritech projects are modernizing agriculture.

When law and order is in order, roads are good, and youth have jobs, the image of any region becomes positive among people from other states. This increases the potential for tourism. This is what has happened in Bastar. Now, efforts are being made to elevate Bastar’s tourism profile to the global stage. Dhudmaras has been declared the best tourist village by the United Nations. Modern facilities have also been expanded in Chitrakoot, Tirathgarh, and Kanger Valley.

Adventure tourism, glass bridges, canopy walks, and homestays are being encouraged here. Tourism has provided employment to thousands of locals. It’s clear that the government is now bringing about change not just through plans, but on the ground. Maoism, once the biggest security challenge within India, has now been confined to a limited area through the coordinated efforts of the central and state governments. Development is now taking its place.