Chhattisgarh: 4 naxals held in Bastar

This area, which once lived under the shadow of Naxal influence, is now moving rapidly towards peace, development, and rehabilitation.

IG Bastar P. Sundarraj on Wednesday said that the top-level leadership of CPI (Maoist) in Telangana has been reduced to "zero", asserting that the strength of the outfit is steadily declining in the state.

The Chhattisgarh government has presented a Rs 1.72 lakh crore budget for the financial year 2026-27, outlining a comprehensive roadmap for education, health, irrigation, digital connectivity, and employment, with special focus on Bastar and other formerly Naxal-affected regions. Finance Minister OP Choudhary presented the state's third budget under the theme of "SANKALP".

In its chargesheet filed before the NIA special court in Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, the anti-terror agency has charged the commander of 'Raoghat Area Committee', namely Raje Kange alias Malti alias Nirmala, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Nearly 2,000 security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard (DRG) and elite Cobra unit are engaged in the 'Operation Black Forest 2' started late Tuesday night, a source, privy to the development, told ANI.

The security forces are currently engaged in the anti-Naxal operation that began late on Tuesday night. Operation Black Forest 1, launched last year, was the biggest ever anti-Naxal operation conducted on the Karreguttalu hills.

The forest region of Sukma, which remained isolated from the national mainstream for decades due to Naxal violence and blocked roads, is now writing a new story of change. Roads that once smelled of gunpowder and were shadowed by guns are now filled with buses running under the "Chief Minister's Rural Bus Scheme."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday praised the 'Bastar Pandum' festival held in Chhattisgarh from February 7 to 9, saying it beautifully showcased the rich culture, traditions and tribal heritage of the Bastar region.

The Bastar Pandum Festival, organised by the Chhattisgarh Government, has drawn large crowd to witness Bastar's traditional handicrafts, tribal arts, folk costumes and local products.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that when farmers sow seeds in this fertile land, it is Pandum. When the mango season arrives, it is Pandum. The people of Bastar celebrate every aspect of life. She said that others can learn this way of life from the people of Bastar.