Against the backdrop of internal strife in the Maoist ranks on whether or not to surrender and engage in talks with the Centre, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday drew a red line that takes the choice out of their hands. Speaking in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, he ruled out talks and made it clear that the only way for Maoists to survive is to lay down arms.
Emphasising that both the state and central governments are “dedicated to the development of Bastar and other Naxal-affected areas”, he said, “Kuch log vaartha ki baat karte hain. Mein fir se ek baar spastha kar deta hoon… Kis cheez ki vaartha karni hai? (Some people talk about having talks. I want to make it clear again… What is there to discuss?) We have made a lucrative and attractive surrender policy. Drop your weapons. If you use weapons to disrupt the peace in Bastar, then our security forces, the CRPF and the Chhattisgarh police will together give you a reply. The date, March 2026, is fixed to eradicate Naxalism from the country.”
His comments come against the backdrop of a tug of war within the Maoist ranks. On September 12, Mallojula Venugopal Rao, the ideological head and chief spokesperson of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), issued a letter, stating that it is time for cessation of armed struggle. This invited the wrath of other Maoist leaders, who said he acted alone and that the party would continue armed struggle. This year has also seen a sharp escalation of operations by security forces against Maoists
Shah, who is in the state to mark the 75-day Bastar Dussehra festival, said, “This morning, I took the blessings of Danteshwari goddess and offered prayers to her. I touched her feet and prayed to give strength to our security forces to free Bastar from the red terror (Naxalism).”
“For many years in Delhi, some people spread the misconception that Naxalism’s birth was a fight for development. But I am here to tell my tribal brothers and sisters that the root cause for Bastar being deprived of development is Naxalism. Today, every village has electricity, water supply, road, toilet, Rs 5 lakh insurance, 5 kg free rice and a scheme to procure paddy at Rs 3,100, but Bastar is lagging.”
“Today, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I want to assure you that by March 31, 2026, Naxalities will not be able to stop your development and your rights. A lot of work is done, a lot is remaining, but I have complete faith that this problem will end,” he said.
Appealing to tribals, Shah said, “The youngsters who were misguided into joining Naxalism are from your villages. Convince them to drop weapons and join the mainstream. Chhattisgarh government’s Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister have made the best surrender policy in the country. The day your village is free of Naxalism, the Chhattisgarh government will allot Rs 1 crore for development work there. Nobody benefits from Naxalism.”
