“More Tourists Will Go To Bastar Than Kashmir If…”: Amit Shah In Chhattisgarh

Sun Dec 15 17:34:56 UTC 2024: ## Bastar’s Transformation: From Maoist Hotspot to Tourist Paradise?

**Bastar, Chhattisgarh –** Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Sunday that Bastar, once notorious for Maoist violence, is poised to become a major tourist destination, potentially surpassing even Kashmir in popularity if the Maoist insurgency ends. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics 2024, Shah attributed this transformation to the combined efforts of the state government and security forces.

He highlighted the region’s natural beauty, particularly mentioning the Maa Danteshwari temple and its surrounding landscapes. Shah emphasized the central government’s investment in tourism infrastructure projects to facilitate this growth. He stated that the goal is to leverage this beauty to attract global tourism.

Shah detailed a two-pronged approach employed by the Modi government over the past decade to combat Maoism: strengthening security operations against violent Maoists while simultaneously offering rehabilitation programs for those who surrender. He cited a 73% reduction in security force deaths and a 70% decrease in civilian casualties since 1983 as evidence of the strategy’s success. He contrasted this with the alleged slowdown in anti-Maoist operations during the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh. Shah claimed that since the BJP assumed power in Chhattisgarh a year ago, 287 Maoists have been killed, 992 arrested, and 836 have surrendered.

The government aims to completely eliminate Maoist activity by March 31, 2026. Simultaneously, development initiatives are underway, including infrastructure projects such as road and railway construction, and the provision of electricity and water to the region. Shah specifically mentioned Bastar’s natural attractions, such as Chitrakote waterfalls (“the Niagara Falls of India”), as key assets in its transformation. The successful development of Bastar, he concluded, hinges on establishing lasting peace and preserving the region’s inherent beauty.