In a decisive move aimed at reshaping the future of Bastar, the Chhattisgarh government has announced that Abujhmad and Jagargunda, once deeply affected by Naxal violence, will be developed into “modern education cities.” The announcement was made on Tuesday, 24th February, as part of the 2026–27 state Budget, with an allocation of ₹100 crore for the project.

This initiative marks one of the most ambitious development plans for the region in recent years. For decades, these areas were associated with conflict and isolation. Now, the focus has shifted toward education, infrastructure, and long-term stability.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai later clarified that these education cities form part of a broader strategy under the “Five Chief Minister Missions.” Each mission will receive ₹100 crore every year for the next five years. These include the CM’s AI Mission, Sports Excellence Mission, Tourism Development Mission, Infrastructure Mission, and Startup & NIPUN Mission, which is designed to prepare young people for emerging industries and modern career paths.

The education cities planned for Abujhmad and Jagargunda will provide a complete schooling system, starting from primary classes up to higher secondary levels. The campuses will also include sports facilities, proper roads, and hostel accommodations for students coming from remote villages. Officials have stated that the primary aim is to create a secure and encouraging environment for tribal children and those belonging to economically weaker sections.

In addition to regular schooling, the campuses will offer IT training and skill development programmes. This will allow local youth to pursue employment-focused education and explore self-employment opportunities. The government hopes that access to such facilities will reduce the need for migration and open up local opportunities for growth.

The Budget places strong emphasis on the overall development of Bastar. In the irrigation sector, the government has proposed the construction of the Matnar and Deurgaon barrages on the Indravati River at a cost of ₹2,024 crore. These projects are expected to irrigate an additional 32,000 hectares of land, bringing relief to farmers who have long depended on unpredictable rainfall.

Security and welfare measures have also received significant funding. The government has created 1,500 new posts for Bastar Fighters, a special police unit. Other allocations include ₹720 crore for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), ₹10,000 crore under the Krishak Unnati Yojana, ₹4,000 crore for rural employment schemes, ₹250 crore for the development of industrial parks, and ₹100 crore for electric vehicle subsidies.

The announcement was part of the ₹1.72 lakh crore Budget presented by Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary in the Vidhan Sabha. For comparison, last year’s Budget stood at ₹1.65 lakh crore. Capital expenditure has also increased slightly this year to ₹26,500 crore, up from ₹26,341 crore in the previous year.

The state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has recorded a growth of 12.4%, rising from ₹6,31,920 crore to ₹7,09,553 crore. Officials confirmed that the fiscal deficit stands at 2.87% of GSDP, which is lower than last year’s 2.91% and remains within the permissible 3% limit.

Abujhmad’s shift from Maoist base to a moment of change

The Budget announcement comes at a time when Abujhmad, once known as the strongest Maoist stronghold in the country, has undergone a dramatic shift. In November last year, Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinsons Guria stated that nearly 80% of the Naxals operating in the Abujhmad area had surrendered. He further added that security forces now exercise control over almost two-thirds of the region.

For decades, Abujhmad remained cut off from mainstream development. There was no proper revenue survey. Villagers did not have land rights. Roads, hospitals, and communication facilities were almost absent. During the 1990s and 2000s, Maoists turned the region into a stronghold. Infrastructure was destroyed, schools were burned, and a parallel administration called “Jantana Sarkar” was established. Development work was either blocked or demolished, and fear became part of daily life.

The security situation began to change in recent years due to consistent efforts by both central and state forces. A significant moment came in May 2025 with the killing of Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju, in the forests of Narayanpur. Basavaraju was the general secretary of CPI-Maoist and one of India’s most wanted insurgents, carrying a bounty of ₹1.5 crore. His death was widely described as a major breakthrough in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism.

Abujhmad, with a population of around 40,000 to 45,000 people, is largely inhabited by the Abhujhmadhia tribe. The area includes the Orcha block and parts of Narayanpur district. The Abhujhmadhia community is listed among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Chhattisgarh and is entitled to special government benefits designed for endangered communities.

For many years, development projects could not take root in the region. According to locals, Naxalites would set buses on fire if they entered villages in Abujhmad. They ensured that no land deeds were issued and no motorable roads were constructed. Violence and propaganda were used to block any attempt at mainstreaming the region.

Operation Black Forest, carried out along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border, further weakened Maoist networks by neutralising several cadres and destroying hideouts and explosive stockpiles. Many members surrendered. Senior officers have described the past two years as decisive in breaking the backbone of Maoist influence in Bastar.

Former Maoist commanders who surrendered have publicly admitted that Abujhmad is no longer the “Red citadel” it once was. Police sources say only a few senior leaders remain active, and their operational capacity has been significantly reduced.

In February 2025, former Maoist commander Giridhar, who surrendered in 2024, spoke to TOI about the changing ground reality. He stated, “Abujmarh is no longer an impregnable Red citadel. The liberated zones have been smashed, commandos are conquering every inch of Dandakaranya jungles. Maoist cadre base has been practically wiped out.”

Reflecting on the shift among local youth, Giridhar also said, “Our cadre base was fast depleting. Police seemed friendlier, with their civic actions, freebies, jobs, and promise of a better life. With education and the lure of urban dazzle, nobody wanted to join us. The youth did not want to die with a police bullet in their head.”

These remarks underline how both security operations and welfare outreach have influenced the ground situation.

Development drive aims to secure lasting peace in Bastar

With security conditions improving, the government is now concentrating on delivering basic services and long-awaited facilities. For years, villagers in Abujhmad and nearby areas lived under the shadow of violence. Access to education and healthcare was limited, and many families remained outside formal administrative systems.

The proposed education cities are being viewed as a symbol of this transition. The principle guiding the plan is clear: once violence is reduced, rapid development must follow. The state has already taken steps such as installing mobile towers, improving road connectivity, opening operation theatres, and increasing recruitment in local police units.

Efforts are also underway to bring more people into the electoral and administrative framework through revenue surveys, welfare schemes, and employment programmes reaching previously inaccessible villages.

Officials believe that development provides a long-term solution to extremism. When children can attend school safely, when farmers receive irrigation support, and when youth gain access to skill training and job opportunities, the chances of insurgent groups regaining influence become much lower.

Operation Kagar and the Centre’s strategy for a Naxal-Free India

At the national level, the Modi government has intensified operations in Naxal-affected areas to eliminate Maoist networks. The strategy combines security operations with development initiatives, including expansion of roads, transport services, water supply, electricity, and welfare schemes.

In January 2024, the central government launched Operation Kagar to eliminate Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. Around one lakh paramilitary personnel have been deployed as part of the operation. This includes the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite CoBRA units, District Reserve Guards (DRG), and state police forces equipped with modern technology to remove Naxal presence from remaining strongholds.

The impact of these efforts is visible in the reduction of Naxal-affected districts. Between 2015 and 2025, the number of affected districts declined from 106 to 18. Of these, 12 were once considered the worst affected. This number has now reduced further to only six severely impacted districts: Bijapur, Kanker, Narayanpur, and Sukma in Chhattisgarh; West Singhbhum in Jharkhand; and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.

On 19th February, Bihar authorities announced that the state is now “Naxal-free” following the surrender of prominent Maoist Suresh Koda, also known as Mustakim, who carried a reward of ₹3 lakh. He surrendered to the Special Task Force of Munger district police. According to recent analysis, the number of districts affected by Left-Wing Extremism has decreased to seven.

Last month, the Centre also released a detailed 10-point plan to ensure that areas cleared of Left-Wing Extremism remain stable and peaceful. The plan focuses on post-conflict stabilisation and aligns with the development-focused strategy of the government.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly stated that the government aims to eliminate Naxalism before 31st March, 2026. The weakening of strongholds such as Abujhmad is being seen as an important step toward achieving that goal.

As Bastar prepares to welcome education cities in areas once known for violence, the region stands at a crucial turning point. For thousands of families who lived for years in uncertainty and fear, the promise of schools, roads, and opportunity represents more than development. It represents the possibility of a stable and hopeful future after decades of conflict.