Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to the remaining active Naxalites to lay down their arms, surrender, and return to the mainstream of society. He said that the government would ensure their rehabilitation with full dignity. Addressing the closing ceremony of the Bastar Pandum Festival at Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarters of Bastar in Chhattisgarh today, the Union Home Minister warned that those Naxalites who continue with armed struggle will not be spared, and weapons will be met with weapons. He said that the government’s fight is aimed at ensuring the security of tribal communities.

 

Mr. Shah said that Maoism has not benefited anyone anywhere in the world and has only spread destruction. Appreciating the culture and art of Bastar, the Union Home Minister said that the culture of Bastar is an ornament of Indian culture. He added that the identity of Bastar lies not in gunpowder, but in its rich culture and heritage. The Union Home Minister announced that the first three winning teams of competitions held in 12 categories under the Bastar Pandum Festival will be invited to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they will showcase their art. During the closing ceremony, Mr. Amit Shah also presented awards to the winners of various competitions held under the Bastar Pandum Festival.

 

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma were also present on the occasion. Bastar Pandum Festival, divisional-level competitions were held in Jagdalpur from the 7th to 9th of February, during which artists from seven districts of Bastar displayed their talent in 12 different disciplines, including tribal painting, handicrafts, musical instruments, songs, and dance.