Amit Shah to attend Bastar Dussehra, review anti-Naxal operations during 2-day Chhattisgarh visit
Raipur – Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur on Friday late evening, beginning his two-day visit to the state. On Saturday, he will attend the renowned Bastar Dussehra celebrations in Jagdalpur. State BJP leaders have completed all necessary arrangements for his visit.
Shah’s trip comes just two days after 103 Naxals surrendered in Bijapur district. Of those who laid down their arms, 49 carried a combined bounty of Rs 1 crore 6 lakh 30 thousand. Shah had recently stated that Naxals should surrender, promising to welcome them with a “red carpet“, or face the full force of security personnel.
Shah has set a deadline of 31 March 2026 for the complete eradication of Naxalism from the country. Following this declaration, operations against the rebels in the Bastar region have intensified significantly.
The Bijapur district has seen major success in the anti-Naxal campaign this year. Since 1 January 2025, 421 Naxals have been arrested and 410 Maoists have surrendered their weapons in the district alone. Additionally, 137 Maoists have been killed in various encounters. The Naxals who surrendered today received an incentive of Rs 50,000 each.
Earlier, Shah had visited Raipur and Jagdalpur in August and December 2024. During these visits, he warned the Naxals from various platforms to give up violence, stating that the forces would retaliate against any aggression.
Shah to attend Muria Darbar
The Union Home Minister will participate in the traditional Muria Darbar held as part of the Bastar Dussehra festivities. The event will take place tomorrow at the Sirhasar Bhavan in Jagdalpur, where members of the tribal community present their grievances and suggestions directly to the administration.
A delegation from the Bastar Dussehra Committee, led by Bastar MP and committee chairman Mahesh Kashyap, had met Shah in New Delhi to formally invite him to the Muria Darbar. The delegation included traditional functionaries (Manjhi-Chalaki).
During the meeting, the committee presented Shah with a picture of Maa Danteshwari. The Home Minister accepted the invitation, appreciating the traditions of Bastar Dussehra. He later posted on social media platform X, stating that Bastar is moving from the grip of Naxalism towards peace and development. He expressed his keenness to participate in the unique, 75-day long festival.
During his visit, Shah will interact with tribal representatives and review the progress of Naxal eradication under Mission 2026 with officials. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and the state Home Minister will also attend the review meeting. Shah will also visit the Swadeshi Mela, which provides a national platform for local handicrafts and cultural performances.
The committee has also sent an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. MP Mahesh Kashyap remarked that Shah’s attendance is a historic moment, bringing national recognition to Bastar’s culture.
Bastar Dussehra is distinct as it does not involve the burning of the effigy of Ravan; the festival is centered on the worship of Maa Danteshwari and showcases the unique tribal traditions of the region.
Key figures from the anti-Naxal drive
- 1,890 Naxals have surrendered so far.
- More than 1,100 Naxals have been arrested.
- 282 Naxals have been killed since January 2024.
