Amit Shah Declares Bastar India’s Most Developed Hub Post-Naxalism

Abhishek Joshi — Wed, 20 May 2026 12:55:46 +0530

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.

Under the Ram Lalla Darshan scheme, 36 devotees from Sakti district in Chhattisgarh were flagged off on Tuesday for a pilgrimage to Ayodhya Dham. The initiative, launched under the Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai government, aims to provide free and organized travel for devotees wishing to visit the Ram temple. The devotees were seen chanting religious slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Ayodhya Dham” as they began their journey with enthusiasm and devotion.

Government Pilgrimage Scheme

The Ram Lalla Darshan scheme is designed to facilitate safe and cost-free pilgrimage for selected devotees across the state. Officials said the initiative ensures that people from different districts get an opportunity to visit Ayodhya without financial burden. A special train arrangement has been made to transport pilgrims from various districts of Chhattisgarh. The Sakti district group includes selected participants from Sakti, Dabhra, Malkharauda, and Jaijaipur development blocks.

Administrative Coordination

The flag-off ceremony was organized at Kachahari Chowk in Sakti district under the supervision of district administration officials. Collector Amrit Vikas Topno directed the smooth departure of the pilgrims. Officials confirmed that a nodal officer has been appointed to accompany and supervise the group throughout their journey to ensure safety and coordination during the pilgrimage.

Devotees’ Emotional Response

Many devotees expressed happiness and gratitude, stating that the Ram Lalla Darshan scheme has fulfilled their long-standing dream of visiting Ayodhya Dham. For several participants, this is their first opportunity to travel outside the state for a religious pilgrimage. The initiative has been widely appreciated at the local level, with beneficiaries calling it a meaningful step toward promoting cultural and spiritual tourism.

Su-raj Tihar Initiative

In a separate development, the Sakti district administration also demonstrated a unique approach under the Su-raj Tihar 2026 campaign. Senior officials, including the Collector Amrit Vikas Topno, Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur, and District Panchayat CEO Vasu Jain, traveled by bus to a public grievance redressal camp. The camp was held in Chapora village under Malkharauda block, where officials directly interacted with villagers and heard their concerns on the spot.

Symbol of Simplicity

The decision of senior officials to travel by bus was seen as a symbolic gesture inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on simplicity and efficient governance. Officials said the move reflects a shift towards reducing unnecessary administrative expenditure while promoting better coordination among departments.

Direct Public Interaction

During the grievance camp, officials engaged directly with residents, listened to their issues, and instructed concerned departments to resolve matters promptly. Various welfare schemes were also explained to eligible beneficiaries. The administration emphasized that real-time grievance resolution is a key focus under Su-raj Tihar 2026, ensuring that government services reach citizens effectively.

Welfare Scheme Delivery

Departments including revenue, health, agriculture, education, women and child development, food, and panchayat were present at the camp. Officials worked to provide on-the-spot solutions wherever possible. The initiative is aimed at reducing delays in service delivery and ensuring that villagers do not have to travel long distances for basic administrative work.

Cost Efficiency Push

District authorities highlighted that the initiative is also focused on reducing unnecessary administrative costs. By promoting shared travel and collective field visits, the administration aims to save fuel and time while improving inter-departmental coordination. Officials stated that such steps are part of a broader governance reform strategy being implemented across the district.

Continued Camps in District

Under the guidance of the state government, continuous grievance redressal camps are being organized across Sakti district as part of Su-raj Tihar 2026. These camps are providing a unified platform for citizens to access multiple government services in one place. Authorities said the combined approach of pilgrimage facilitation and grassroots governance reflects the state’s focus on welfare-driven administration.

The Ram Lalla Darshan scheme continues to gain traction as a key public welfare initiative, while parallel administrative reforms in Sakti district highlight a growing emphasis on simplicity, accessibility, and citizen-centric governance.

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Vishnudev Sai - Dainik Jagran English