Amit Shah On Fight Against Naxalism: 'Era Of Red Terror Ending'

Union home minister Amit Shah said today that the spectre of Maoist menace has been lifted from the country and its last bastion, Chhattisgarh's Bastar, is treading the "Path of development".  The government deadline for eradication of Maoist violence is March 31, ahead of which a discussion was held on the topic in the Lok Sabha. While responding to the discussion, Shah said, "Naxalism in the country is now on the verge of extinction... The country will be informed once the entire process is formally completed, but I can say that we have become Naxal-free".

"Today, Naxalism has been almost eradicated from Bastar. A campaign was launched to establish a school in every single village across Bastar. A drive was undertaken to open a ration shop in every village within the region. Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres have been established in every Tehsil and Panchayat. Aadhaar cards and ration cards have been issued to the people, and they are now receiving five kilograms of food grains," he said.

"The people of Bastar were left behind precisely because the shadow of 'Red Terror' loomed over the region; that is why development failed to reach them. Today, that shadow has been lifted, and Bastar is now on the path of development," he said.