Day is not far when every corner of Chhattisgarh & India will be free from Maoist terror: PM Modi
Speaking at ‘Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav’, the 25th anniversary celebration of the formation of Chhattisgarh in Nava Raipur, he hailed the growth journey of the state and said that the seed sown 25 years ago has become a ‘vat vriksh’ (banyan tree) of development.
The Prime Minister said he was “deeply pleased” that Chhattisgarh was freed from the clutches of Naxal violence, which had caused immense suffering to the state for over five decades.
“For 50 years, people here have suffered unbearable pain (because of Naxalism). Those who flaunt the Constitution and shed crocodile tears in the name of social justice have done injustice to you for the sake of their interests.”
The Prime Minister said Maoist ideology has deprived tribal areas of basic amenities.
“For years, there were no roads, schools and hospitals in tribal villages. The existing ones were blown up by bombs. Doctors and teachers were killed. Those who ruled the country for decades abandoned you while enjoying life in their air-conditioned offices,” Modi said. “Save India from Maoist terrorism. Today the results are before the nation,” Modi said.
Eleven years ago, 125 districts across India were affected by Maoist extremism, but today the number has come down to just three, he said.
“I assure you that the day is not far off when Chattisgarh and every corner of India will be completely free from Maoist terrorism,” the Prime Minister added.
Modi noted that in the past few months, dozens of Maoists, carrying bounties of lakhs and millions of rupees on their heads, have surrendered across the country.
“More than 20 Naxalites recently laid down arms in Kanker. More than 200 Maoists surrendered in Bastar in early October. They have now accepted the Constitution of India and chosen the path of peace,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that where there was once a fear of guns and bombs, the situation had changed.
Electricity reached Bijapur’s Chikapalli village for the first time in 70 years, and a school was opened for the first time since independence in Rekawaya village in Abujhmad district.
The Prime Minister said that development work is going on in full swing in Puvarti village, which was once known as a terror hub, and the tricolor flag is flying proudly where the red flag (of the Naxals) once stood.
“Despite facing the challenges of Naxalism for 25 years, Chhattisgarh continued to progress. Now, with the end of Naxalism, our pace of development will increase,” he said.
