DARK DAYS ETCHED IN THE ANNALS OF BASTAR

The three-decade-long period of terror and fear is drawing to a close, as the extent of Naxalite violence in Chhattisgarh rapidly declines

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In Bastar, a tribal region renowned for its natural beauty and natural resources, Naxalism poses the greatest challenge to development. For more than four decades, Naxalites have disrupted developmental efforts, hindered progress and misled tribal communities with false ideologies. They sought to instil fear through acts of violence.

They even deprived children of education, robbed them of their innocence, and steered youth towards violence. Young girls, too, were kidnapped and forced to join the Naxalite movement. Many women were rendered widows, and families were left shattered. As a result, Bastar, despite being a mineral-rich region, remained one of the most underdeveloped areas of India.