‘The shadow of red terror is over from Bastar’, Amit Shah shouted in the Lok Sabha – Modi government will give a befitting reply to those who take up arms:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented in the Lok Sabha the details of the country’s internal security and major successes achieved on the front of Naxalism. While addressing the House, the Home Minister clarified that the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, which was once considered the stronghold of ‘Red Terror’, is now almost free from Naxalism. Amit Shah credited this change to the zero tolerance policy of the Modi government, the indomitable courage of the security forces and the grassroots development achieved in the area. He bluntly said that there is no place for violence and those who take up arms in this system.

“Those who take up arms will get a befitting reply”: Amit Shah’s warning

While speaking in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah gave a strict warning to those having extremist ideologies. He said, “This is the Modi government, whoever takes up arms will get a reply in his own language.” Shah stressed that the solution to any injustice in a democracy is possible only within the country’s Constitution. Rejecting the system and picking up guns cannot be the path to development. Describing the end of Naxalism in the final stages, he praised the action of the security forces.

Appreciation of sacrifices of security forces and ‘Cobra’ force

Amit Shah expressed deep gratitude towards the security forces involved in the anti-Naxal operation. He said that this huge change seen in Bastar is the result of the sacrifice of CAPF soldiers—especially the CoBRA force, Chhattisgarh Police and DRG personnel. The Home Minister paid tribute to the thousands of soldiers and local civilians who lost their lives in this conflict. While paying tribute to the martyred soldiers on behalf of the House, he said that leftist extremism is now counting its last breaths.

Instead of guns, ‘development’ is now reaching Bastar

Describing the government’s ‘development’ strategy as the most important thing behind the end of Naxalism, Amit Shah said that now the benefits of government schemes are reaching the remote villages of Bastar. He rejected the opposition’s claims that the insurgency is a fight for justice. Shah said that change is now being brought about by running a campaign in every village of Bastar:

Education and Health: New schools have been opened in the villages of Bastar and hospitals have been constructed at every tehsil and panchayat level.

Ration and basic amenities: Aadhar cards and ration cards have been provided to the villagers, due to which they are getting 5 kg of food grains every month.

Ujjwala Scheme: For the convenience of women, gas stoves are being delivered to every home.

Ration Shops: Government fair price shops have been opened even in remote areas so that middlemen can be eliminated.

Public support for extremism ended

According to Amit Shah, when the rays of development reached those areas which were once impossible to reach, the local support to militancy automatically ended. Infrastructure has restored people’s trust in democracy and government. He reiterated that Bastar has now come out of the shadow of Red Terror and joined the mainstream of progress, which is a major victory for the security strategy of New India.