New Delhi [India], March 30 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that Naxalism has been almost eradicated from Bastar and the region is now on the path of progress.
Shah, replying to the debate in Lok Sabha on efforts to free the country from Left Wing Extremism, targeted Congress and asked why tribal communities remained 'deprived of development' during its rule.
He said the people of the Bastar were left behind in development parameters as 'the shadow of Red Terror loomed'.
'Today, Naxalism has been almost eradicated from Bastar. A campaign was launched to establish a school in every single village across Bastar. A drive was undertaken to open a ration shop in every village within the region. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) have been established in every Tehsil and Panchayat. Aadhaar cards and ration cards have been issued to the people, and they are now receiving five kilograms of food grains,' he said.
'I simply wish to ask those who were here advocating on behalf of Naxalism: Why have the people not received these benefits till now?... The people of Bastar were left behind precisely because the shadow of 'Red Terror' loomed over the region; that is why development failed to reach them. Today, that shadow has been lifted, and Bastar is now on the path of development,' he added.
