Govt's action against Maoists ended fear, says Prez as she inaugurates festival in Bastar; 51 Naxalites with Rs 1.61 cr reward surrender in LWE-hit region.

PTI, Jagdalpur, Feb 7, 2026: President Droupadi Murmu said on Saturday that decisive action by the Union government against Maoists has ended the atmosphere of fear and distrust in the Bastar region, and a new dawn of development is setting in.

The President inaugurated a three-day divisional-level Bastar Pandum festival in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district. She said those who have renounced violence and joined the mainstream should trust the Constitution and democracy and not be misled by attempts to divert them from walking the path of peace.

“Bastar's natural beauty and rich cultural traditions have always attracted people, but the region unfortunately suffered for years due to the menace of Maoism,” the President said.

Noting that Naxalism caused the maximum damage to youth, tribals and Dalits, Murmu said that people associated with Maoist activities are now shunning violence, leading to the return of peace in the region. “Government of India's decisive action against Maoists resulted in bringing an end to the atmosphere of fear and distrust,” she added.

The President said she had been informed that a large number of Naxalites have surrendered, and the government is ensuring that those who return to the mainstream are able to lead a normal and dignified life.

Murmu said several welfare schemes are being run, highlighting the role of the Chhattisgarh government's ‘Niyad Nellanar’ initiative in empowering villagers. Villages are gaining access to electricity, roads and drinking water, while schools that remained closed for years are being reopened, the President said, describing it as a “very heartening picture”.

“With the government's efforts and the cooperation of the people, a new dawn of development is rising in Bastar,” the President said.

Murmu urged people to have faith in the system and move forward with hard work and dedication, describing democracy as a source of strength.

“I appeal to those who have renounced violence and joined the mainstream to have faith in the Constitution and democracy, and not be misled by those who seek to divert them,” the President added.

In a related development, as many as 51 Naxalites, carrying a collective bounty of Rs 1.61 crore, surrendered before the police in two districts under the Bastar division on Saturday, a senior officer said.

With the March 31, 2026, deadline to eliminate Naxalism closing in, the number of surrenders across Chhattisgarh so far this year now stands at around 300.

The surrender coincided with the inauguration of the Bastar Pandum 2026 festival by the President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's arrival in Raipur on a three-day visit.

The surrendered cadres include 34 women. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam said 30 cadres, including 20 women, surrendered in Bijapur district, while 21 others, including 14 female members, joined the mainstream in neighbouring Sukma district under the “Poona Margem” rehabilitation initiative of Bastar Police.