Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel deployed in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region. Addressing the gathering, Modi described the occasion as special, saying it marked the first Diwali since the country overcame decades of left-wing extremism (LWE).
"This Diwali in 2026 is truly special! This is the first Diwali since the nation won its decades-long battle against Naxalism and Maoist terror. This is the first Diwali where every single district in the country is free from Naxalism. This is the first Diwali where crores of our citizens have overcome the fear of Naxalism," Modi said.
Modi praised the security personnel, saying those guarding the country's borders and protecting citizens within the country are members of his family.
"You are all a part of my family. This time, I have come to celebrate Diwali in the forests of Bastar. This is a land where the menace of Naxalism once prevailed. However, owing to your sacrifice and dedication, the menace of Naxalism has now ended in this very region, and a new wave of development has begun," the prime minister said.
Earlier, in a post on X, Modi had highlighted the region's transformation from a former Naxal stronghold into an area witnessing development.
"Heading to Bastar to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces. This is an area where Naxalism once held sway, and now, development is flourishing. I am going to salute our brave security personnel for their sacrifices, selfless service and unwavering devotion to the nation," he had said.
In May this year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had declared Bastar Naxal-free and announced the government's plan to increase the region's income by up to six times over the next five years.
The Union Home Ministry had established 200 security camps in Bastar as part of efforts to free the region's seven districts from Naxalism.
The government has also undertaken several major infrastructure and development projects in Bastar. These include the construction of 12,211 kilometres of roads at a cost of ₹20,557 crore.
Other development initiatives in the region include the expansion of mobile connectivity, bank branches, ATMs and post offices.
