Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister [CM] Vishnu Deo Sai on October 16 praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for successfully eliminating Naxalism from north Bastar and Abujhmad region, the infamous bastion of Maoists since decades.
The CM stressed that north Bastar and Abujhmad becoming free from Naxalism marks a defining moment in state’s journey towards peace and development.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bharat now stands on the threshold of eradicating Naxalism once and for all,” said CM Vishnu Deo Sai.
The CM noted that “The transformation of these regions [Abujhmad and entire north Bastar], once synonymous with fear into symbols of trust and progress is a testimony that Bastar is no longer a land of violence, but a land of hope.”
Reacting to the surrender of 258 Maoists over the past two days, CM Sai said that it symbolise that the might of gun is fading before the strength of trust.
The CM informed that over the last 22 months, 477 Naxalites have been neutralised, 2,110 have surrendered, and 1,785 have been arrested. These figures, he said reflect the government’s unflinching resolve to make Chhattisgarh completely free from the red menace.
CM Sai reiterated that the goal of achieving a Naxal-free Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026 is now within striking distance. He credited this breakthrough to the state’s “Naxalite Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025” and the “Niyad Nella Nar Yojana.” The double-engine government’s sensitive policies, continuous establishment of new security camps, and rising faith in governance, he said, have together fueled this remarkable transformation.
“So far, 64 new security camps have been set up in previously affected regions,” CM Sai noted. “These camps have not only strengthened our security grid but also carried the light of development and confidence to every village,” said the CM.
CM Sai also paid homage to the valour and sacrifice of the state’s security forces stating that “It is their indomitable courage and dedication that have freed Bastar from fear and placed it firmly on the path of peace.”
The CM added that Abujhmad and north Bastar are now completely rid of Naxal terror, while operations in south Bastar have also reached a decisive phase.
CM Sai emphasised that while the government will welcome those who choose the path of peace and progress, those continue to spread terror will be dealt with full might.
“Our policy is unambiguous — there is no place for violence. Those who choose the path of peace and progress are welcome. But those who continue to spread terror with guns will face the full might of our security forces,” he said.
उत्तर बस्तर और अबूझमाड़ हुए नक्सलमुक्त, बस्तर में शांति और विकास का नया युग
माननीय केंद्रीय गृहमंत्री श्री अमित शाह जी आपका आभार, आपने देशभर में चल रहे नक्सल उन्मूलन अभियान की ऐतिहासिक सफलता को रेखांकित किया।
बीते दो दिनों में 258 नक्सलियों का आत्मसमर्पण इस बात का प्रतीक है… https://t.co/qvsTR6zLSf
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) October 16, 2025
Praising the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ initiative for laying a new foundation of dialogue, empathy, and development in the region, CM Sai made an appeal to Maoists to lay down arms and join mainstream.
“The path of violence brings endless suffering, while surrender opens the way to a new life and a new beginning. For the future of your motherland and the happiness of your families, lay down your arms and walk into the light of development,” he added.
Abujhmad declared Naxal-free
Notably Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a social media post on Thursday announced that Abujhmad and north Bastar, have been completely liberated from Maoists, marking a historic moment in Bharat’s ongoing battle against the red terror.
यह अत्यंत हर्ष की बात है कि एक समय आतंक का गढ़ रहे छत्तीसगढ़ के अबूझमाड़ और नॉर्थ बस्तर को आज नक्सली हिंसा से पूरी तरह मुक्त घोषित कर दिया गया है। अब छिटपुट नक्सली केवल साउथ बस्तर में बचे हुए हैं, जिन्हें हमारी सुरक्षा बल शीघ्र ही समाप्त कर देंगे।
जनवरी 2024 में छत्तीसगढ़ में…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 16, 2025
This comes after 258 Naxalites including a politburo member surrender before authorities in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra in the past 48 hours.
The Union Home Minister noted that this achievement represents not only a major triumph for Bharat’s internal security apparatus but also the dawn of a new era of trust, development, and compassion.
200 Maoists to lay down arms in Bastar today
In a significant announcement, Inspector General of Police [IGP] Bastar P Sundarraj on Thursday announced that around 200 Maoists from the Dandkaranya region will lay down arms before CM Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday.
The announcement came hours after Maoist’s Central Committee Member [CCM], Kattapali Vasudev alias Rupesh approached the police for surrender with more than 100 others hardcore Maoists.
It’s been reported that the group of Maoists led by Rupesh crossed the Indravati river on Thursday and approached the police. They also have surrender a substantial cache of sophisticated weapons.
Rupesh has also issued an appeal to other Maoists to lay down arms and join the mainstream.
From the forests of Abujhmad Maoist Central Committee member Kattapalli Vasudev alias Rupesh who made 150 Naxals surrender has sent an appeal to rest of the Maoists to surrender. He has asked Maoists to contact him to surrender peacefully as per GoI policy.pic.twitter.com/pJWr5zWLrg
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) October 16, 2025
The development arrived on the heels of senior politburo member Abhay aka Bhupati aka Sonu laying down arms before Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis with 60 other Naxals in Gadchiroli on October 15.
Bhupati, a top leader of the dreaded Maoist group is believed to be the man behind the recent wave of surrender in Bastar and adjoining regions following persistent campaign by security forces against Naxals in forested zones of Central Bharat.
[With inputs from agencies]
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