Jagdalpur: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) Vijay Sharman on June 3 emphasised that the ‘Jal, Jungle, Zameen’ (water, forest, land) of Bastar belong to the people and youths of Bastar.
While giving a befitting reply on those raising questions over anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, Sharma said “that there are people who spread misinformation and propagate lie that these actions (anti-Maoist operations) are being taken so that resources of Bastar could be handed over to other people. They are trying to mislead and spread this blatant lie. I want to assure you with all my strength that CM Vishnu Deo Sai view on this is very clear, that the ‘Jal, Jungle and Zameen’ of Bastar belong to the youth and people of Bastar.”
Sharma was speaking at a conference namely “The Squid face of Maoism: From Beijing to Bastar”. The conference was organised by the Bastar Peace Committee on the occasion of 37th anniversary of Tiananmen massacre in Beijing of China.
Sharma added that the progress of Bastar will happen according to Bastar and on ‘Bastar Model’ only. He stressed that if the people are ready for this, the youths of Bastar need to come forward and have a clear cut vision on this.
बस्तर का जल जंगल जमीन, बस्तर के लोगों का ही है,
बस्तर की उन्नति बस्तर मॉडल पर बस्तर के हिसाब से ही होगी।– आने वाले समय में जब सुरक्षा कैंपों की आवश्यकता नहीं होगी तो वहां लघु वनोपज के संग्रहण एवं प्रसंस्करण, विपणन के केंद्र बनेंगे। pic.twitter.com/oD2jGOWx6l
— Vijay sharma (@vijaysharmacg) June 3, 2025
He further stated that the government has even envisioned about utilizing the security camps as centres of minor forest produce in future.
“In the future when there will be no need for security camps, we will turn them into centres of collection, processing and marketing of minor forest produce,” said Sharma.
The deputy CM underscored that the “Maoists want nothing but to form a government with the barrel of the gun and murder democracy”.
Sharma further underscored the significance of gram panchayats, stating that “does gram panchayats gives NOC or proposal for opening a mine in China?” He noted that here (In Bharat) the companies cannot start operations if the panchayats does not agree to their proposals.
Victims of Maoist-terror organised rally
Meanwhile hundreds of people participated in a rally held after the program. The participants in the rally were seen holding placards and banner, demanding elimination of Maoism from Bastar.
The protestors also raised slogans like ‘down with Maoism’ and ‘save Bastar’. A few among the protestors also expressed their views, stating that they want peace and development in Bastar.
They also highlighted about the one-sided violence unleashed against them by the Maoists, emphasising that all they want is ‘peace and a better future for their children’. Deputy CM Sharma and other leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were also seen participating in the rally.
आज जगदलपुर की सड़कों पर एक असाधारण दृश्य देखने को मिला, जब बस्तर के नक्सल पीड़ितों ने एकजुट होकर “माओवाद हटाओ, बस्तर बचाओ” ने नारे के साथ रैली निकाली। इस रैली में शामिल लोगों की आँखों में पीड़ा थी, दिल में दर्द था और होंठों पर था सिर्फ एक संदेश – “हमें माओवाद नहीं, अब बस्तर का… pic.twitter.com/C3POisQVHr
— Vijay sharma (@vijaysharmacg) June 3, 2025
Known for its dense forests and unique Vanvasi culture, Bastar division of Chhattisgarh has long been considered a bastion of CPI (Maoist), the face of Maoist-insurgency in Bharat. The region is slowly getting free from the clutches of red terror with forces firming their grip by launching continuous operations along erecting security camps in interiors.
Separate operations launched by security personnel have resulted in neutralisation of around 400 Maoists in the last15 months alone. Additionally over 1000 Maoists have also laid down weapons due to mounting pressure of forces and government’s outreach programs. The forces have also arrested over 1000 extremists in the contemporary period.
In addition to the stringent security policy, the incumbent state government has also paced up development works in Maoist-infested areas with an aim to eradicate the red terror menace before March 2026 as vowed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
