Chhattisgarh CM Sai chairs unified command meeting on anti-Naxal strategy, vows focus on Bastar development

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday chaired a high-level Unified Command meeting at New Circuit House, focusing on two critical issues—intensifying the fight against Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and accelerating development in insurgency-hit regions.The meeting, which lasted over two hours, was attended by home minister Vijay Sharma, chief secretary Amitabh Jain, and senior officials from the CRPF, ITBP, BSF, CISF, Indian Air Force, and Chhattisgarh police.Briefing the media after the session, CM Sai said the deliberations revolved around security strategy and winning people’s confidence through development. “Today’s meeting was very meaningful. We are determined to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026, and this resolution will certainly be fulfilled.

Our security personnel are fighting with great vigilance,” he said.Chief minister underlined that alongside security operations, equal importance was being given to ensuring roads, schools, health facilities, and livelihood opportunities reach remote areas so that people in Bastar “feel the change of governance in their everyday lives.”According to police, as a result of the aggressive strategy of the security forces, a total of 454 Maoists were neutralised from December 2023 so far, more than 1,600 have been arrested and around 1,700 have surrendered.

Besides, 65 new security camps have been established during this period, CM said.Deputy CM Vijay Sharma said that during the meeting, the inter-state coordination, use of new technology, surrender process and other issues were discussed, while the development works including expansion of railway lines and roads and setting up new schools in Naxal-affected areas were also brought up. "I want to clarify that we have said that we will eliminate armed Maoism by March next year.

Naxalism has different units. Its armed cadres will be wiped out by March. Subsequently, development and bringing back those who have been radicalised (to mainstream), all these processes will continue. We will do gap filling and ensure that there is no security vacuum," Sharma was replying to a query."They have been killing civilians just to show their existence. But they should remember, those who have killed the civilians, the path of rehabilitation will be shut for them and stern action will be taken against them," he added.Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, who also addressed the meeting, highlighted the untapped potential of Bastar as a destination for industries and tourism. “Bastar has the world’s most beautiful forests, and it also offers a conducive environment for industry. The govt is committed under the leadership of the CM to bring change in the lives of ordinary people by focusing on jobs, education, and skill development for youth.

We are moving ahead with plans to hold an Investors’ Meet in Bastar,” he said.Officials said that discussions also touched on interstate coordination among security forces, with a view to tightening operations along borders with Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh. The meeting also reviewed the Naxal rehabilitation and surrender policy, aimed at bringing cadres back into the mainstream with employment and rehabilitation support.