PM Modi To Mark Diwali In Bastar, Symbol Of Anti-Naxal Progress

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to celebrate Diwali in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, marking a symbolic moment for a region that endured prolonged Naxalite insurgency. The choice of venue underscores the transformation in an area where left-wing extremists once maintained tight control over vast forested territories.

For several decades, Naxalite groups dominated Bastar's dense jungles, launching attacks on civilian and security infrastructure. The insurgents targeted roads, educational institutions, and police installations, while also inflicting casualties among tribal communities living in the region. The violence and instability severely hampered development efforts and displaced thousands of residents.

In recent years, a combination of enhanced security operations and development initiatives has significantly reduced Naxalite activity in Bastar. Improved road connectivity, educational facilities, and healthcare services have gradually reached previously inaccessible areas. The government has also focused on bringing tribal populations into the mainstream through livelihood programs and welfare schemes.

Modi's Diwali visit to the region is intended to highlight the progress achieved in countering extremism and promoting development in once-troubled areas. The event will bring attention to Bastar's rehabilitation and the restoration of normalcy in communities affected by decades of conflict.