PM Narendra Modi Celebrates Diwali with Security Forces at CoBRA Operations Base in Bastar

Raipur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security forces at the CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, and hailed the country’s success in eliminating Naxalism.

“This is the first Diwali when every district in the country is free from Naxalism,” remarked the Prime Minister.

Addressing the jawans, the Prime Minister noted that for the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF jawan lost his life on duty during the past year. He asserted that this achievement represents a victory of the nation’s sound policies, strong resolve and the courage of security forces.

Driven by a spirit of service, the government has transformed lives in Naxal-affected areas. As a result, even victims of Naxalism have stood firmly alongside the government and security forces.

“Today, on one hand, 50 crore people have come out of extreme poverty; on the other hand, Naxal violence has also come to an end in the country,” stated the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister visited the CoBRA Operations Base at Karanpur in Bastar, which served as the training base and launch pad for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad, to celebrate Diwali with security personnel.

Addressing the jawans on the occasion, as crores of Indians across the nation and the world celebrated the festival of lights with their loved ones, the Prime Minister recalled memorable Diwali celebrations with brave soldiers from Kargil and Lepcha in the Himalayas to Sir Creek on the coast and aboard INS Vikrant.

“At the borders and within the country, the sentinels of the nation who protect the country, the brave sons of Maa Bharati, all of you are my loved ones, all of you are a part of my family,” remarked Modi.

Describing Diwali 2026 as truly special, he said it marks the first festival of lights after India won its decades-old battle against Maoist terrorism, rendered every district Naxal-free and enabled crores of citizens to overcome fear.

The Prime Minister said he had come to Bastar to celebrate this extraordinary milestone with lakhs of security personnel who made it possible and to convey the gratitude of 140 crore citizens.

“Today I have come to express gratitude towards your sacrifice, dedication, and spirit of service,” affirmed the Prime Minister.

Quoting the ancient Sanskrit wisdom ‘Aabhyantaram Bhayam Rakshyam, Asaaram Baahyato Bhayam’, he explained that external enemies cannot harm a nation whose internal security is strong, but raise their heads when internal security weakens.

The Prime Minister equated the role of security forces in maintaining internal security with that of armed forces guarding the borders. He lauded the sacrifices of personnel from the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, IRB, state police forces, Bastar Fighters commandos and women fighters, while extending festive greetings to soldiers guarding the nation’s frontiers.

“This country is indebted to you for your services, and crores of countrymen are proud of you,” affirmed Modi.

Recalling the grim era when Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) gripped over 230 districts across nearly 20 states, including Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister said fear prevailed in these areas.

He recalled how voting rights were snatched, up to 2,000 attacks took place annually, and more than 1,000 security personnel lost their lives in Chhattisgarh alone. Countless soldiers suffered permanent disabilities due to IED blasts.

He also referred to the 2010 Dantewada attacks, in which 76 CRPF personnel and 44 innocent civilians were killed in separate incidents.

The Prime Minister pointed out that between 2004 and 2013, more security personnel were martyred annually than Naxals killed, which emboldened Maoist leaders.

Emphasizing that no nation can progress with a passive approach towards its enemies, Modi said they must be dealt with strategically and with high morale.

He stated that after 2014, the government reversed the decades-old trend of higher casualties among security forces. This resulted in a historic milestone, with not a single CRPF soldier losing his life on duty over the past year, for the first time in 47 years.

“This is the victory of the country’s right policies and firm willpower, and this is the victory of your valor, courage, and restraint,” asserted Modi.

Stating that success requires both the right intentions and the right policies, the Prime Minister noted that the government took several tough national security decisions, including many that were not made public.

These decisions targeted Naxal and separatist funding and destroyed the fake currency network.

“Not only did this break their economic backbone, rather the entire supply line was choked, stopping the supply of weapons and curbing the movement and recruitment of Naxals,” noted the Prime Minister.

He said the government granted complete operational freedom to security forces to take every necessary decision.

Explaining that the government worked tirelessly towards ensuring that no mother loses a child, no family is ruined and no youth takes up arms, he highlighted how sensitive security operations, combined with a spirit of public service, broke the backbone of Maoist terrorism.

This approach transformed lives and brought affected citizens, including local residents present at the event, firmly alongside the government and security forces. He also thanked them for their vital cooperation.

“With a spirit of service, we transformed the lives of people in Naxal-affected areas,” remarked Modi.

Observing that the spirit of Nation First ensures peace and security, propels the country towards new developmental heights and expands the participation of the poor and deprived in national progress, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s achievements over the past 12 years.

“In the past 12 years, the country has not only won the battle against Naxalism and separatism, rather the country has also won a major war against poverty,” asserted Modi.

Highlighting the widely discussed World Bank report released just ahead of Deepavali, the Prime Minister noted that 50 crore Indians escaped extreme poverty over the past 12 years.

Comparing India’s welfare architecture over the past 12 years to a Diwali Rangoli, he explained how several government schemes collectively transformed the lives of poor families.

He highlighted initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, collateral-free Mudra loans, PM SVANidhi, Ayushman Bharat, free monthly ration, education policies, Swachh Bharat Mission and Har Ghar Jal.

He said these initiatives ensured access to free medicines, education, food and basic facilities, reducing the financial anxieties of families that had remained trapped in generational poverty.

“The poor families whose entire lives used to be spent only in worry have now received the assurance of the government, and a new self-confidence has come into them,” noted the Prime Minister.

Pointing out that the victory over poverty is deeply connected with the fight against Naxalism, Modi said Maoist violence had deprived lakhs of innocent citizens of basic facilities.

Naxal activities had obstructed the construction and functioning of schools, hospitals, medical stores, mobile towers and industries, while also disrupting polio vaccination drives and bombing railway tracks.

The Prime Minister detailed the special development drive undertaken in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas.

Under this initiative, the government constructed:

• Over 15,000 kilometres of roads
• More than 9,500 mobile towers
• Nearly 175 Eklavya Model Residential Schools
• Around 50 ITIs
• 50 Skill Development Centres
• Thousands of post offices, bank branches and ATMs.

He also highlighted the rehabilitation of surrendered Naxals and the expansion of basic facilities such as water, electricity and roads in remote tribal villages for the first time under PM JANMAN.

“When we started the fight against Naxalism, at the same time we also ran special campaigns for the development of Naxal-affected areas,” noted Modi.

Stating that the Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas campaign strengthened the fight against poverty and helped end Naxal violence, the Prime Minister cited the ongoing Bastar Olympics as a symbol of transformation in the region.

“Today in this very Bastar, the Bastar Olympics are taking place, and children are trying their hand at sports, not guns,” remarked Modi.

Emphasizing that today’s achievements are a launchpad rather than a stopping point, the Prime Minister said the nation’s new journey would fulfil the centuries-old dreams of freedom fighters, border soldiers and personnel who sacrificed their lives fighting Naxalism and terrorism.

He urged security forces, who live by the motto ‘Tera Gaurav Amar Rahe Maa, Hum Din Chaar Rahein Na Rahein’, to channel their spirit into building a stronger and more confident India.

“Now is the time to live for the nation and to take the nation to a new height,” affirmed Modi.

Citing the nation’s track record of fulfilling major commitments, including the abrogation of Article 370, construction of toilets in households and expansion of vaccination coverage, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that India would achieve its remaining goals.

He said the country would work towards becoming poverty-free, drug-free, self-reliant and developed.

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister extended Deepavali greetings to everyone and said that the sacrifices and hard work of security personnel would play a vital role in building a developed India.

“Your sacrifices and hard work will become a strong foundation for the grand edifice of a Viksit Bharat,” affirmed the Prime Minister.