Bastar's Forest and Land Rightfully Belong to Its Residents, Deputy CM Vijay Sharma Asserts

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has called on young people to understand the efforts of central and state governments in eradicating Left-wing extremism. He encouraged them to help eliminate the ideology of the banned CPI Maoist group. Sharma, who also manages the home portfolio, emphasised the importance of youth awareness about Maoism's origins and development.

Speaking at an event titled "The Ugly Face of Maoism - from Beijing to Bastar" at Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee Auditorium in Jagdalpur, Sharma highlighted the role of social media. "You youth have the great power of social media in your hands, any news spreads like a wave among you. I request you to use your social media power for these things," he stated.

Role of Youth in Countering Extremism

The Deputy Chief Minister believes that the youth of Bastar can play a crucial role in ending Maoist ideology and promoting development. He assured that security forces will always be present for their protection. Sharma expressed confidence that with collective efforts, Bastar's youth can drive positive change in the region.

Sharma recalled the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, where youths demanded democracy. He compared this to Maoists' desire to establish a government through violence. "Maoists want to form a government with the barrel of a gun. They want to form the government by killing democracy," he remarked.

Government's Commitment to Bastar

Addressing concerns about resource allocation, Sharma criticised those spreading misinformation about government actions against Naxalites. He clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Vishnu Dev are committed to ensuring Bastar's resources benefit its people. "The intention of Chief Minister is very clear -- water, forest and land of Bastar belong to Bastar, to the youth of Bastar, to the people of Bastar," he asserted.

Sharma outlined a vision for Bastar's future without security camps once Naxalism is eradicated. These camps could transform into centres for forest produce collection, processing, and marketing. This shift would mark a significant step towards sustainable development in the region.

The Deputy Chief Minister's remarks underscore a commitment to tackling extremism while fostering growth in Bastar. By engaging youth and leveraging social media, Sharma envisions a collaborative effort towards peace and prosperity in Chhattisgarh.

With inputs from PTI