Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has declared that Naxalism will be eliminated from the Bastar region within the next year, citing strong public sentiment against insurgency and the state government’s commitment to development and rehabilitation.
Speaking in a podcast with ANI, Sharma—who also handles the Home Ministry portfolio—criticized Naxalites for having no legitimate demands, alleging their only aim is to establish power at gunpoint and dismantle democracy.
“They haven’t submitted any formal demands. They simply want Maoist rule in Chhattisgarh—something akin to China’s past. This is unacceptable,” Sharma said.
The Deputy CM highlighted that unlike other protest movements where governments have addressed constitutional demands, the Naxalite insurgency is rooted in ideological violence, not negotiation. However, he affirmed that the state remains open to rehabilitation and surrender options for those willing to return to the mainstream.
Sharma emphasized the government’s push to connect with Bastar’s youth and bridge the region’s developmental gaps, such as lack of electricity, roads, education, and healthcare.
“These youths haven’t even seen a television. We are bringing them to Raipur to witness the development. The villages have no irrigation, no phones, no schools. It’s time to change that,” he said.
Initiatives like the Niyad Nellanar Yojana are underway to strengthen infrastructure and community support. Sharma mentioned that villagers now request police camps not be removed, fearing Naxals may return.
Condemning the recruitment of children by Naxalites, Sharma cited intelligence reports that detailed how minors, including a 9-year-old, were forcibly taken and trained. He also drew parallels with global atrocities like the Tiananmen Square massacre, arguing that Naxal ideology promotes fear and violence rather than reform.
“This is not a revolution. It’s coercion. Just like in Errabore, where entire tribal groups were massacred. They didn’t target police—they killed their own people,” he asserted.
The Deputy CM’s optimism aligns with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s goal to wipe out Naxalism from Chhattisgarh by March 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs recently reported an 81% reduction in Naxal-related incidents since 2010, and an 85% drop in deaths, indicating strong progress.
With a robust surrender policy, continued infrastructure efforts, and community engagement, the Chhattisgarh government believes that the end of Naxalism in Bastar is not just a goal—but an imminent reality.
