Maoists Gave Guns, Now Kids Hold Books: Amit Shah

Raipur, CG

Addressing tribal youth in a Maoist-affected area of Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah contrasted the past and present—“Where Maoists once armed children with guns, today they carry books and pens.

On the second day of his Chhattisgarh tour, on Monday, Home Minister Amit Shah met more than 50 children and youths from Maoist violence-affected areas Narayanpur and Bijapur in Nava Raipur, interacted with security force personnel and also held a meeting with officials.

Regarding his meeting with the children and youths, he posted on the social media platform X and said that the innocent children in whose hands the Maoists had once given guns, today their future is being shaped by giving books in the same hands. When a child writes A, B, C by holding a pencil instead of a gun, then the future of not only a region but the entire country is improved.

Chhattisgarh government's scheme

He said that under the Chhattisgarh government's 'Lior Oyna' (coming out of the jungle towards light) scheme, children from Maoist violence-affected areas are being brought to Raipur and connected to the mainstream. Addressing the soldiers, the Home Minister said that I salute the courage, valor, sacrifice and dedication of the Central Security Forces, Cobra Team, Chhattisgarh Police Force and DRG present here.

He said, "I know that whatever the army personnel decide, they achieve it. With this confidence in the security forces, I once again declare the end of Maoist violence by 31 March 2026." Shah was going to visit Narayanpur in Bastar, but his visit was canceled due to unavoidable reasons.

Freedom from Maoists will be one of the most important moments after independence
The Home Minister said that Maoism has been a big horror for the poor tribal area. In the last 35 years, about 40 thousand people have died, or they are living a handicapped life. Maoist violence did not allow basic facilities like food, electricity, education, house, toilet and pure drinking water to reach the poor tribals. Forget about industry.

He said that when the country will be free from Maoists on March 31, 2026 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that moment will be one of the most important moments after independence.