Amit Shah in Bastar: Naxalism "Eliminated", Development War Room Begins

In a high-stakes political push weeks after declaring the region free from Left-wing extremism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a massive infrastructure overhaul for Bastar on Monday, vowing to transform the once-insurgency-hit district into the country’s most advanced division.

Speaking after the 26th meeting of the Central Regional Council in Jagdalpur, Shah confirmed that the target to wipe out Naxalism was achieved before the March 31, 2026, deadline. He immediately pivoted to a reconstruction agenda, outlining plans for a large dairy network, super specialty hospitals, and model schools.

"Gone are the days of fear," Shah told reporters. He added that the administration will now focus on economic rehabilitation. Approximately one-third of the 70 former security camps in the Bastar region will be converted into ‘Veer Shahid Gundadhur Seva Deras’—service centers named after the tribal icon.

Dairy Push and Health Promise

The Home Minister detailed a specific plan to uplift local tribal women, who have historically been cut off from mainstream markets.

"We will provide every tribal woman with one cow and one buffalo," Shah said, setting a tight six-month deadline to establish a functional dairy network across the dense forests of Bastar. Officials say the plan is to integrate the region into the national milk grid, creating a steady cash flow for families who previously relied on forest produce alone.

Political Fireworks: Baghel vs. Shah

While the Home Minister spoke of development, the political temperature in the capital remained high. Shah took a sharp dig at the previous Congress government, alleging a lack of cooperation during the final phase of the anti-Naxal operations.

"During the Bhupesh Baghel government, we did not get the cooperation needed for elimination," Shah claimed.

The former Chief Minister was quick to retaliate. Speaking to reporters in Raipur, Baghel dismissed the claims as hollow. "There is no bigger liar than Amit Shah. They are taking credit for the work we did. The records are there for everyone to see," Baghel said, accusing the Centre of political tourism.

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai jumped into the fray, defending the administration. "Congress leaders have mastered the art of lying. Bhupesh Baghel has a PhD in falsehoods," Sai countered, backing the Union Minister’s timeline.

Congress Alleges "Mineral Heist"

Away from the official press conference, protests marked the fringes of the high-security event. Chhattisgarh Congress Chief Deepak Baij attempted to lead a delegation to meet Shah but was stopped by the administration.

Baij dismissed the entire council meeting as a "formality" hiding a more sinister agenda. "They are not here for development. They are here to sell Bastar's mineral wealth," Baij alleged. He claimed the real planning involved transferring rights to industrialists for exploiting the region’s rich deposits, traditionally protected by the "Jal, Jungle, Jameen" (Water, Forest, Land) ethos.

In a pointed remark, Baij questioned the logistics of the meeting. "The PM calls for saving fuel and working from home, but his Ministers and four CMs fly down here for a photo-op. Everything could have been done virtually," he said.

High-Profile Attendees

The Jagdalpur meeting saw the attendance of four Chief Ministers, indicating the strategic importance of the region. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami joined CM Sai for the discussions.

Sources said the closed-door sessions also focused on strict measures to control crime rates, specifically regarding crimes against women, across the four states.

The Road Ahead

Despite the political sparring, the bureaucratic machinery has been put on notice. With the security grid now relaxed, officials in Bastar told this reporter that land acquisition for the proposed super-specialty hospital is already under review.

As the sun set over the Jagdalpur skyline—dominated by massive hoardings of PM Modi, Amit Shah, and CM Sai—the challenge remains whether the government can deliver the "4-5 year compensation for 50 years of loss," a promise Shah made during an earlier visit to Netanar.