Naxal Free India / Every Trace of Naxalism Must Be Erased: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Oct 15: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted that the Centre's mission of creating a Naxal-free India has been achieved and stressed that the focus must now shift towards rehabilitating affected communities, restoring dignity to victims and eliminating every remaining vestige of Left-Wing Extremism.

Addressing a programme for people affected by Naxalism in Chhattisgarh via video conferencing, Shah said it was time to heal the wounds inflicted on the nation by decades of Naxal violence and ensure that every victim is able to lead a life of dignity and self-reliance.

Just as Naxalism has been brought to an end, every remaining vestige of it must also be wiped out, he emphasised, adding that Bastar must once again become a vibrant and thriving region. Significant work has already been undertaken in this direction, with major contributions from traditional tribal leadership in the region.

The Home Minister highlighted the Union government's commitment to addressing the long-standing impact of Left-Wing Extremism. In Bastar, a region that he said remained deprived of even basic services for decades, development initiatives are now ensuring that essential facilities reach the people.

Shah strongly condemned the violence perpetrated by Naxals, stating that the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to advance political objectives had left many innocent people permanently disabled. There could be no greater violation of human rights than such acts, he said.

Highlighting the government's focus on rehabilitation and welfare, Shah referred to the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, launched to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public service as a Chief Minister and Prime Minister. He said service-oriented initiatives are being undertaken across the country as part of the campaign.

The Home Minister also pointed to the transformation underway in Bastar through schemes such as Niyad Nellanar, which aims to expand access to basic infrastructure and public services in remote areas.

He appreciated the Chhattisgarh government's efforts to revitalise Bastar through initiatives including the Bastar Olympics, Bastar Pandum, Niyad Nellanar and the CM Collective Bus Scheme.

Shah further acknowledged the contributions of the Chhattisgarh government, district administration, State Social Welfare Department, Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (Jaipur), Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana and other organisations working for persons with disabilities and victims of violence.

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Providing assistive devices such as wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, hearing aids, smart walking sticks and artificial limbs could help create new opportunities and improve the quality of life for affected individuals, he said.

Reaffirming the Centre's commitment, Shah said the Modi government would continue supporting rehabilitation measures and ensuring that every Divyang and victim receives the assistance needed to rebuild their lives.
(IANS)