In a strong appeal to end decades of violence in Naxal-affected regions, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday called upon armed Naxalites to lay down their weapons and join the mainstream, promising complete protection and significant development incentives for those who cooperate.

Speaking during his visit to Chhattisgarh, Shah stated, "Now the time has gone when bullets were fired and bombs exploded here. I have come to request all those people who have weapons in their hands, all the Naxalite brothers, to give up their weapons. No one is happy when a Naxalite is killed, but this area needs development."

#WATCH | Dantewada, Chhattisgarh: Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, "Now the time has gone when bullets were fired and bombs exploded here. I have come to request all those people who have weapons in their hands, all the Naxalite brothers, to give up their weapons. No one is… pic.twitter.com/A2j2oOC7El

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Highlighting the government's plan to foster peace through grassroots participation, Shah announced a major initiative launched by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and State Home Minister Vijay Sharma. "Vishnu Deo Sai and Vijay Sharma have made an announcement that the village which makes every Naxalite surrender, that village will be declared Naxal-free and one crore rupees will be given as development fund," he said.

The Union Home Minister assured those willing to surrender that their safety would be a priority. "Join the mainstream, you will be fully protected by the Government of India and the Government of Chhattisgarh," he added.

This push is part of the Centre's broader strategy to eliminate Naxalism by combining security operations with welfare and development initiatives. Shah’s message resonates with the BJP-led government's consistent emphasis on national integration and regional stability, especially in the tribal belts where insurgency has long stalled progress.