At ‘Shauryanjali’ tribute programme, Chief Minister honours families of 50 security personnel; says government remains committed to their welfare and dignity
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 17,2026: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday paid tribute to 50 security personnel who laid down their lives in the fight against Naxalism in Bastar, saying their supreme sacrifice had paved the way for a new era of peace, security and development in the region.
Addressing ‘Shauryanjali: Dedicated to the Heroes of Bastar’, organised by The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, in Raipur, Sai honoured the families of the martyrs and said their courage, dedication and commitment to national service would continue to inspire generations. The programme was organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, marking 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public service.
The Chief Minister said the security personnel had not only fought Naxalism but had also laid the foundation for a safer and more prosperous future for Bastar. The region’s emerging identity, he said, was increasingly defined by peace, trust and development rather than fear and violence.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, Sai acknowledged that no assistance could compensate for the irreparable loss of a loved one. He said the martyrdom of a soldier left a mother without her son, a wife without her life partner and children without their father’s support. The people of Chhattisgarh, he added, would always remain indebted to the brave personnel and their families.
The Chief Minister described the martyrs as a source of pride for the entire state and the nation, saying their lives exemplified courage, a sense of duty and selfless service.
Welfare of martyrs’ families a priority
Sai said the dignity, security and welfare of martyrs’ families remained among the state government’s highest priorities. The government would continue to stand by them in every circumstance and address their needs with sensitivity, he said.
He added that supporting the families of security personnel who had made the ultimate sacrifice was not merely an administrative responsibility but a collective obligation. The families, he said, were an integral part of the government’s extended family.
Coordinated campaign against Naxalism yields decisive results
The Chief Minister attributed the decisive progress in the campaign against Naxalism to coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s guidance.
He said security forces had worked towards the March 31, 2026, target set by the Union Home Minister despite the formidable challenges posed by dense forests, inaccessible hills and difficult terrain. Naxalism had remained entrenched in Bastar for nearly four decades, making the campaign particularly challenging.
Sai expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister for their leadership, while describing security personnel as the real heroes of Bastar’s transformation. He paid tribute to members of the Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Central Reserve Police Force and other security agencies for their courage and commitment.
Bastar moves beyond four decades of violence
Recalling Bastar’s rich tribal heritage, natural beauty and traditions, Sai said prolonged Naxal violence had severely affected the region for decades. Thousands of families had suffered, children had grown up amid insecurity, and people in remote areas had faced difficulties accessing education, healthcare, roads and electricity.
Security personnel continued to protect communities despite being separated from their families and operating under difficult conditions, he said. The sacrifices of those killed in the line of duty had strengthened the resolve of their colleagues to continue the fight against Naxalism.
Development reaches remote villages
Sai said improving security had opened new avenues for development and prosperity in Bastar. Road construction, expanded electricity access, better educational and healthcare facilities, and the delivery of welfare schemes were bringing change to areas that had long remained isolated.
He said the state government’s Niyad Nellanar scheme was extending welfare benefits and basic amenities to remote villages. The government was committed to ensuring that no village or family in Bastar remained excluded from the development process.
The Chief Minister also highlighted opportunities emerging for young people through education, sports, skill development and employment. Events such as the Bastar Olympics were bringing rural sporting talent to the forefront, while Bastar Pandum was promoting the region’s tribal art, culture and traditions.
Bastar, he said, had immense potential in tourism, cultural heritage and youth development. The government’s objective was to ensure that every young person had access to opportunities and every family shared in the benefits of progress.
Building the Bastar envisioned by martyrs
Sai said the emerging peace in Bastar was the result of the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of security personnel who had given their lives to protect present and future generations.
Building a peaceful, secure, prosperous and developed Bastar, he said, was a collective responsibility. The peace achieved through their sacrifice must be sustained, and the benefits of development must reach every family in the region.
He also stressed the need to familiarise younger generations with the lives and sacrifices of the martyrs so that their stories continued to inspire patriotism, discipline and a spirit of service.
CM lauds The Hindu Foundation’s initiative
Appreciating The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur, for organising the programme, Sai said the initiative offered an important opportunity for society to honour martyrs and stand in solidarity with their families.
He noted that the foundation had reached out to more than 800 martyrs’ families across the country, describing the effort as a meaningful expression of gratitude towards those who had sacrificed their lives for the security of the nation.
The Chief Minister said ‘Shauryanjali’ was not merely a tribute to the fallen personnel but also a reminder of the responsibility to fulfil their unfinished dreams. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to transforming Bastar’s emerging peace into lasting development and prosperity.
Among those present were Sandeep Gupta, coordinator of The Hindu Foundation, Nagpur; Rajendra Singh Diwan, a descendant of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh; family members of martyrs; public representatives; and other distinguished guests.
