Lay down arms, be part of development journey: Amit Shah to Naxals

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said Naxals would not be able to stop the development of tribals in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region and urged them to lay down arms while asserting that nobody is happy when they are killed. Addressing the closing ceremony of the state government's 'Bastar Pandum' festival at Dantewada, Shah reiterated that the government is committed to eliminating the Naxal menace by March 2026, adding that those who surrender will become part of the mainstream while the rest will be taken on by security forces. "The days when bullets were fired and bombs exploded in Bastar are over. I urge Naxalite brothers to lay down arms and join the mainstream. You are our own. No one feels happy when any Naxalite is killed. Just surrender your weapons and join the mainstream. You cannot stop the development of your tribal brothers and sisters by taking up arms," he said offering an olive branch to the outlawed movement.

#WATCH | Dantewada, Chhattisgarh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "...By next March, we will work to free the entire country from this red terror (Naxalism)..." pic.twitter.com/pE96JWP8L0

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2025

Addressing the 'Bastar Pandum' program, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, the fight against Naxalism is ongoing with great strength. We are achieving continuous success. I am fully confident that with the blessings of Maa Danteshwari, his resolve will surely be fulfilled.