Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Visits Remote Naxal-Affected Kawande Village on Chhattisgarh Border

 

* 12 Notorious Naxalites Surrender with Weapons

* CM Attends Mass Wedding of Rehabilitated Naxals

* Honors C-60 Commandos, Hands Over Advanced AK-103 Rifles and Pistols

* 19 Vehicles, Including Bulletproof Ones, Inducted into Police Fleet

* Reviews Inter-State Bridge Construction Over Korma Stream via Drone

Gadchiroli, June 6: In a historic visit, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reached Kawande—a highly remote and Naxal-affected village on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border—becoming the first State Chief Minister to do so. In his presence, 12 hardcore Naxalites, carrying bounties worth crores of rupees, laid down arms and surrendered. This marks the first time that such a large group of heavily armed Naxals has surrendered together.

Earlier, a mass wedding ceremony for 13 ex-Naxals who had already surrendered was held in Gadchiroli, where CM Fadnavis extended best wishes to the newlyweds for a new beginning. In the evening, he felicitated the elite C-60 commandos and handed over modern weapons including AK-103 rifles, ASMI pistols, and bulletproof jackets. The Chief Minister Shri.Fadnavis praised the valiant efforts of the commandos.

From the District Planning and Development Fund, 19 four-wheelers, including bulletproof vehicles, have been procured and were formally handed over to the police. The event saw the presence of Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, MLAs Dharmaraobaba Atram and Dr. Milind Narote, DIG Ankit Goel, Collector Abhishekant Panda, and SP Nilotpal, among others.

C-60 Commandos Felicitated by CM Fadnavis

Speaking at the felicitation ceremony of the C-60 forces, Chief Minister Fadnavis remarked that the establishment of the Kawande outpost by police in just 24 hours signifies a major leap in governance reaching the people. “This is not just a police station; it is a symbol of the government establishing its presence in regions that once lacked security. In the past two years, six such outposts have been created,” he said.

He cited that in the last 1.5 years, 28 Naxals were killed, 31 arrested, and 44 surrendered. “This is a record achievement. Several high-reward Naxalites are returning to mainstream society. Our fight is now at its final stage,” he added.

He also visited the river island where Naxals were hiding, applauding the bravery of the commandos who neutralized four Naxalites in an operation that required them to wade through neck-deep water. “Our target is to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026,” Fadnavis declared. He acknowledged the efforts of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in implementing strict measures against Naxalism.

Surrendered Naxalites Rehabilitated with Constitution Copies, Employment Aid

The 12 surrendered Naxalites carried bounties exceeding ₹1 crore and gave up sophisticated weaponry. CM Fadnavis presented them with copies of the Indian Constitution. He praised corporate entities like Lloyds for their involvement in the rehabilitation process, aiming to transform Gadchiroli into a steel and employment hub, while preserving the region’s natural resources.

Winds of Change in Naxal Areas: Gadchiroli to Become Industrial Hub

At a beneficiary gathering in the Kawande area, Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasized the goal of transforming Gadchiroli into a Naxal-free and economically empowered district. Due to the joint efforts of the administration and government, services are reaching citizens directly, increasing their trust in the system.

Recently, under the “Dhartibaba Abhiyan,” camps were held at Kawande, Neligunda, and Pengunda, benefitting 533 individuals through 987 services. Chief Minister distributed benefits under various schemes including Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Food Security Scheme, PM-KISAN, MGNREGA job cards, anemia screenings, Aadhaar updates, caste certificates, and more. Departments like Revenue, Health, Agriculture, Social Justice, Panchayati Raj, Women & Child Welfare, Police, and Integrated Tribal Development participated in the camp.

Drone Inspection of Inter-State Bridge Over Korma Stream

To improve connectivity in the region, Chief Minister Fadnavis inspected via drone an under-construction bridge over the Korma stream on State Highway 380. The 120-meter-long bridge will significantly enhance transportation between Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The ₹10.7 crore project has received technical approval, and Shri.Fadnavis instructed officials to expedite its completion. The bridge is expected to benefit even the remotest villages in Gadchiroli, ensuring the efficient delivery of government services and development programs.