Sat Apr 05 12:31:56 UTC 2025: ## Amit Shah Calls for Maoist Surrender in Chhattisgarh
**Dantewada, Chhattisgarh (April 5, 2025):** Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region to lay down their arms and join the mainstream during the closing ceremony of the Bastar Pandum festival. He emphasized the government’s commitment to development in the region, stating that the goal is to replace fear (“bhay”) with a promising future (“bhavishya”).
Shah addressed concerns about casualties during anti-Maoist operations, asserting that no one celebrates the death of a Maoist, but that development requires an end to insurgency. He highlighted the government’s two-pronged approach: offering surrender and reintegration to Maoists, with financial incentives for villages facilitating surrenders, while simultaneously pursuing security operations against those who refuse. He announced that 521 Maoists have surrendered in 2025 alone, adding to the 881 who surrendered in 2024. The government aims to eradicate “red terror” by March 2026.
The Home Minister detailed the government’s vision for development in Bastar, focusing on education, healthcare, and access to essential documents like Aadhaar and ration cards. He also announced plans to elevate the Bastar Pandum festival to a national event, inviting President Droupadi Murmu to next year’s opening ceremony and international ambassadors to experience the region’s culture. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma have pledged ₹1 crore in development funds to villages that successfully facilitate Maoist surrenders.
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