Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has lauded Chhattisgarh's surrender policy, attributing it to the significant number of Naxalites laying down their arms. Speaking at the 'Bastar Dussehra Lokotsav' and 'Swadeshi Mela' in Jagdalpur, Bastar district, Shah commended the state government's efforts and reiterated the central government's commitment to eradicating Naxalism from the region.
Shah asserted that over 500 Naxalites have surrendered in the past month, a development he believes underscores the effectiveness of Chhattisgarh's rehabilitation program. He highlighted the policy as the "best surrender policy in the country". In a recent event, 103 Naxalites surrendered to government forces in Bijapur district, marking it as the largest single-day mass surrender in the state's history. Among those who surrendered were high-profile commanders.
The Union Home Minister firmly rejected any possibility of talks with Maoists until they lay down their weapons and embrace the government's "lucrative surrender and rehabilitation policy". He made it clear that both the Chhattisgarh and central governments are focused on the development of Bastar and all Naxal-affected areas. Shah questioned the need for dialogue, emphasizing the availability of a beneficial surrender-and-rehabilitation program.
Shah also issued a stern warning, stating that security forces, including the CRPF and Chhattisgarh Police, are prepared to respond decisively if Naxalites disrupt the peace in Bastar. He reiterated the government's deadline of March 31, 2026, to eliminate Naxalism from the country. He urged tribal communities to encourage young individuals to abandon violence, join the mainstream, and contribute to Bastar's progress.
Chhattisgarh's revamped 2025 Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy offers various incentives, including immediate cash rewards, housing assistance, land grants, educational support, and vocational training. Group surrenders are further incentivized with double the initial reward.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the surrenders as a victory for peace and development, reaffirming the government's dedication to making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. He emphasized the policy's balance between security measures and rehabilitation efforts, aimed at reintegrating former insurgents into society.
According to police records, Bijapur has witnessed 410 surrenders this year, along with 421 arrests and 137 Maoist fatalities in encounters. Across the Bastar range, nearly 970 cadres have voluntarily surrendered in 2025. The surge in surrenders is attributed to effective counter-insurgency operations, improved infrastructure projects, and targeted community policing initiatives.
Shah announced that each village that becomes Naxal-free will receive ₹1 crore for development projects. He criticized those who have wrongly associated Naxalism with development, asserting that Naxalism is the primary cause of backwardness in the region.
The Union Home Minister highlighted the central government's financial support to Chhattisgarh, stating that the Narendra Modi government has provided over ₹4 lakh crore for development works in the last 10 years. He assured that after March 31, 2026, Naxalites will not be able to impede the region's development.
