Prime Minister says 2026 marks the first Diwali with every district in the country free from Naxalism; highlights security operations, development initiatives and rehabilitation measures, while Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai welcomes him
TFP Bureau, Bastar, November 9, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with security personnel in Bastar on Sunday, paying tribute to their sacrifices in the fight against Left-wing extremism and describing the occasion as a historic milestone in the country’s decades-long struggle against Naxalism.
Addressing security forces, Modi said the 2026 festival of lights was particularly significant as, for the first time, every district in the country was free from Naxalism. He credited the achievement to the courage, dedication and sacrifices of security personnel, adding that he had come to Bastar on behalf of 1.4 billion Indians to express gratitude for their service.
Modi said Bastar, once affected by the violence and fear of Naxalism, was now moving towards a new phase of peace and development. He acknowledged the contributions of the CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, ITBP, SSB, state police, special units such as Bastar Fighters and women personnel involved in internal security operations.
Recalling the scale of the insurgency, the Prime Minister said more than 230 districts across nearly 20 states had once been affected by Naxalism. He referred to the 2010 Dantewada attacks in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed in one incident and 44 civilians lost their lives in another. More than 1,000 security personnel, he said, had laid down their lives in Chhattisgarh alone during the decades-long conflict.
He said the country’s approach to tackling Naxalism had changed after 2014, with stronger political will, coordinated security operations and greater operational freedom for forces. According to Modi, measures to disrupt the financial networks, weapons supply chains and recruitment activities of Naxalite organisations had weakened their capacity. He also said that, for the first time in 47 years, no CRPF personnel had been killed in the line of duty during the preceding year.
The Prime Minister stressed that security operations had been accompanied by development initiatives in affected regions. He said more than 15,000 km of roads had been constructed in Left-wing extremism-affected areas, along with the installation of over 9,500 mobile towers. Nearly 175 Eklavya schools, around 50 Industrial Training Institutes and approximately 50 skill development centres had also been established. Thousands of post offices, bank branches and ATMs had been opened to improve access to essential services.
He added that initiatives such as PM-JANMAN had been introduced to improve facilities in remote tribal areas, while rehabilitation opportunities were provided to those surrendering from Naxalite groups. The objective, he said, was to ensure that tribal communities received access to education, healthcare, connectivity and livelihood opportunities.
Linking security with economic development, Modi said Naxalite groups had historically obstructed schools, hospitals, mobile connectivity, railway infrastructure and industrial activity, depriving local communities of opportunities. He said the government’s development programmes were aimed at breaking this cycle of poverty and exclusion.
Referring to a recent World Bank report, the Prime Minister claimed that 50 crore people in India had moved out of extreme poverty over the past 12 years. He attributed this progress to a combination of welfare measures, including Jan Dhan accounts, PM Awas Yojana, Mudra loans, PM SVANidhi, Ayushman Bharat, free foodgrain distribution, Swachh Bharat and Har Ghar Jal.
Modi said the transformation of Bastar was visible in initiatives such as the Bastar Olympics, where young people were participating in sporting activities rather than being drawn into violence. He said the achievements in tackling Naxalism and poverty should be seen as the foundation for further development.
However, he cautioned that the threat of extremist ideology had not entirely disappeared. While armed Naxalism had been weakened, he alleged that ideological extremism continued to influence some organisations and political groups. He called for continued vigilance to protect the Constitution, democracy and national security.
The Prime Minister said the country must now focus on larger national goals, including poverty eradication, a drug-free India, self-reliance and the creation of a developed India. He expressed confidence that the country would achieve these objectives through collective determination and public participation.
Welcoming Modi to Bastar, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the Prime Minister’s personal association with the people of Chhattisgarh had been a source of inspiration. He said Bastar was emerging from an era of fear and violence towards peace, trust and development under Modi’s leadership and guidance.
Sai said the Prime Minister’s decision to celebrate Diwali with security personnel was a tribute to their courage, sacrifice and dedication and would further boost their morale. On behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh, he extended Diwali greetings to Modi and expressed hope that the state would continue to receive his guidance and support.
