Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), Feb 7: President Droupadi Murmu hailed the government’s firm crackdown on Maoists Saturday, saying it has shattered the reign of fear in Bastar and sparked a fresh wave of development.
Speaking at the three-day Bastar Pandum festival inauguration in Jagdalpur, she noted Maoism’s long shadow over the region’s beauty and tribal heritage had devastated youth, tribals, and Dalits. “Decisive government action has ended the atmosphere of fear and distrust,” Ms. Murmu said, crediting surrenders by many Naxalites now reintegrating with support for dignified lives.
She appealed to reformed militants: “Trust the Constitution and democracy—don’t let anyone divert you from peace.” With public cooperation, “a new dawn of development is rising in Bastar.”
Highlighting her rise from an Odisha village to President as proof of democracy’s power, she urged faith in the system, hard work, and shunned Chhattisgarh’s “backward” label, praising its rich tribal culture showcased at Pandum as a model of inclusivity.
Governor Ramen Deka, CM Vishnu Deo Sai attended. The government prioritizes uplifting the poor and marginalized, she affirmed.
