Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Once notorious for Maoist violence, Bastar is now emerging as a popular tourist destination. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, praising the efforts of the state government and security forces in this transformation, stated on Sunday that if Maoists abandon their arms in the region, Bastar could attract more tourists than Kashmir.
During the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics 2024, Amit Shah said, “Maa Danteshwari has blessed Bastar with immense natural beauty. If the Maoist presence comes to an end here, I assure you that this place will attract more tourists than Kashmir.” He added that the Centre is implementing several initiatives to promote regional tourism.
“Everyone can witness the region’s extraordinary transformation from a Maoist-affected area to a symbol of peace and development,” Amit Shah said. He emphasised that it is our collective responsibility to establish peace in Bastar, promote its development while preserving its natural beauty, and attract tourists from across the globe.
He stated, “This can only be accomplished through the construction of roads, the introduction of railways, the provision of electricity and water, and, most importantly, the establishment of peace.”
Amit Shah also highlighted that over the past 10 years of the Modi government, a two-pronged strategy has been employed to eliminate Maoist influence. “On one hand, security measures against violent Maoists have been strengthened, significantly curbing their activities. On the other hand, efforts have been focused on rehabilitating surrendered Maoists,” he said.
Amit Shah said the Modi government has prioritised the development of Maoist-affected areas, which had lagged in the development race. “Thanks to the efforts of the Modi government, there has been a 73 per cent reduction in security force fatalities and a 70 per cent reduction in civilian casualties in Maoist-affected regions since 1983,” he stated.
Amit Shah said that under the Congress government in Chhattisgarh, prior to the BJP assuming power a year ago, action against the Maoists had slowed down. “However, after our government took charge in Chhattisgarh, operations against extremists intensified, leading to the killing of 287 Maoists in the past year, the arrest of 992 Maoists, and the surrender of 836 others,” he said.
Amit Shah stated that since the Modi government came to power, there has been a 73 per cent reduction in security force casualties and a 70 per cent decline in civilian deaths. The Home Minister reiterated the Modi government’s commitment to completely eradicating Maoists from the country by March 31, 2026. While security operations continue, he highlighted that the state government is also developing a roadmap to revitalise the region and transform Bastar. He pointed out that Bastar is rich in natural beauty, boasting waterfalls, caves, and national parks, including the stunning Chitrakote Waterfalls, often referred to as the Niagara Falls of India.
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