Former Naxalites share stories of transformation with Chhattisgarh CM, celebrate first Holi in peace

A group of 140 former Naxalites from Bijapur and Kanker districts met Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at the Vidhan Sabha complex on Wednesday.

The surrendered cadres, many of whom had spent years in the forests, spoke openly about their lives before and after laying down arms.

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Several of them told the Chief Minister that this year, for the first time, they celebrated Holi with their children and neighbours. For men and women who had long lived in hiding and on the run, the simple joy of colours marked a new beginning.

“We used to live in constant fear—fear of security forces, fear of getting caught, fear of dying at any moment. Today, we live peacefully with our families. Our children are going to school. This is a life we never thought possible,” a surrendered cadre from Bijapur told the Chief Minister.

Another former Naxalite from Kanker spoke about the changes in his village. “Earlier, we were told that the government does not care about tribal areas. But today, we can see development happening with our own eyes—roads are being built and schools are opening,” he said.

The Chief Minister listened attentively, often nodding and asking questions. He assured them that the government stands firmly behind their rehabilitation. He described their decision to return to the mainstream as a courageous step—not just for themselves, but for their families and communities.

“By choosing to trust the Constitution and the democratic process, you have set a positive example for society,” Sai said. “The state government is fully committed to your rehabilitation, employment, and social reintegration. You will not be left alone.”

He also reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate left-wing extremism from the state. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, he said, a concerted effort is underway to end Naxalism, and Chhattisgarh is moving steadily in that direction.

“Naxalism is now in its final stages in the state. The combination of development and security is yielding results. More and more people are seeing through the hollow ideology of violence and choosing the path of peace,” he added.

It is noteworthy that the security situation in Bastar has improved significantly. Surrenders have been occurring steadily, and development work in previously affected areas is gaining pace. Senior journalist Rajat Vajpayee believes that this combination is gradually transforming ground realities.

In a related development, the fifth batch of the Ullas Navbharat Saksharata Abhiyan was launched at a rehabilitation centre in Bijapur district on Wednesday. This time, 35 illiterate surrendered individuals will be made literate under the programme.

The initiative, run under the guidance of the district administration, aims to bring former rebels into the mainstream through education. Officials believe that learning to read and write will open up new opportunities and help them lead dignified lives.

District Education Officer Lakhmlal Dhaneliya and other officials were present at the launch. Each learner was provided with books, notebooks, and pens to support their studies.

What made the interaction more effective was that officials communicated in Gondi, the local dialect, explaining the importance of education in simple, relatable terms.

All 35 learners will appear for the literacy examination scheduled for March 22, 2026. They are receiving regular coaching to help them prepare.

For most of these individuals, this marks their first exposure to formal education. Having been recruited at a young age and spent years in the forests, they missed out on basic learning. The programme seeks to bridge that gap and offer them a fresh start.