Bastar sees revival amid decline in Maoism, says Chhattisgarh CM Sai on Independence Day; announces police commissionerate system

RAIPUR: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday vowed to eradicate Maoist insurgency from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region by 31 March 2026, saluting the state’s security forces for “striking rebels in their own hideouts” and noting a sharp drop in Left Wing Extremism over the past one-and-a-half years.Speaking after hoisting the national flag and taking the salute at the 79th Independence Day parade at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur, Sai announced that the Police Commissionerate system would soon be introduced in the state.According to the chief minister, aggressive anti-Naxal operations and an attractive surrender policy since December 2023 have led to 450 Maoists being neutralised, 1,578 arrested, and 1,589 surrendering.

Top commanders, including Basavaraju and Sudhakar Reddy, were among those killed.Sai highlighted the transformation of Tadmetla — the site of the 2010 Maoist attack that killed 76 jawans — where the Chintagufa health centre now serves thousands and handles about 20 childbirths a month. With Maoist influence receding, 50 closed schools have reopened in Bastar, electricity has reached remote hamlets, and a bank branch has opened in former rebel stronghold Pamed.

Under the Niyad Nella Naar – Your Good Village scheme, 327 villages have received basic amenities.The chief minister inaugurated the Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav, marking 25 years of statehood, and paid tribute to freedom fighters Shaheed Gend Singh, Veer Narayan Singh, Hanuman Singh, and Veer Gundadhur.Sai also stressed Chhattisgarh’s role in the Prime Minister’s Vocal for Local campaign, urging citizens to adopt swadeshi products and MSMEs to focus on quality.

He called for promoting khadi, millets, pulses, oilseeds, and environmentally friendly farming.On welfare, Sai said the Mahatari Vandana Yojana provides Rs 1,000 per month to 70 lakh women, totalling Rs 11,728 crore so far. Farmers’ schemes, including the Krishak Unnati Yojana, have promoted crop diversification, livestock rearing, and cooperative growth.He announced plans for an Education City and Science City in Nava Raipur, skill development centres in all 32 Bastar blocks, and a startup policy to support 150 startups and 50,000 students.Infrastructure projects include the Rs 50,000 crore Bodhghat Multipurpose Project, producing 200 MW of power and expanding irrigation to 7 lakh hectares, new rail lines in Bastar, expressways, and solar energy initiatives. Investment proposals worth over Rs 6.65 lakh crore have been received.Cultural projects include a Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Tribal Freedom Fighters Memorial-cum-Museum and initiatives to promote Bastar tourism. Environmental measures include increasing tree cover by 683 sq km and planting over 3.5 crore saplings under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.Concluding, Sai urged citizens to work towards a developed and self-reliant Chhattisgarh, invoking the ideals of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, and the spirit of the freedom struggle.