Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at the vibrant Bastar Pandum conclusion in Jagdalpur, implored Naxals: ‘Drop arms, enter development mainstream.’ His tribal address framed anti-Naxalism as village protection and future-building, impersonal in nature.
Urging surrenders with state perks—2,500 already complied—Shah cautioned harsh reprisals for IED layers, raiders, school wreckers. ‘Violence meets firm rebuke; Maoism destroys,’ he proclaimed.
Bastar gleams as revival beacon: schools reopen after decades, set for Chhattisgarh primacy in half-decade. Village-wide electrification, telecom, medical-educational infra by December 27 guaranteed.
Adivasi agriculture thrives via paddy purchases, gratis grains, cylinders, pipelines. Peace ushers tourism treasures: thrill sports, village lodges, treetop paths, transparent bridges.
Projects unveiled: vast 118-acre industrial hub, Indravati’s dual irrigation-120MW station, Rs 3,500 crore rail thrust, waterway joins, 90,000-job training wave.
Curfew shadows yield to nocturnal smiles, cultural whirl—profound shift. Bastar’s tribal tapestry—from Dandami Maria, Halba to Parja—boasts unique lingos, dances like Rela, sacred Ghotuls.
Festival lauded for heritage projection; top 12-category victors to grace President’s house with art, shared feast. Security martyrs honored in anti-Naxal crusade.