Amit Shah on Tuesday chaired the 26th Central Zonal Council meeting in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, bringing together key state leaders and senior officials to discuss issues of regional importance and strengthen cooperative federalism. The meeting witnessed the participation of the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the Centre’s focus on enhancing coordination among states. Discussions largely revolved around inter-state cooperation, development priorities, internal security, and governance-related matters.

Senior central officials, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, also attended the session. Their presence enabled detailed discussions on regional security concerns, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, and measures to tackle Left-Wing Extremism in affected areas. Top bureaucrats and police officials from participating states, including Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police, took part in the deliberations to improve coordination between state administrations and the Centre.

Amit Shah attended the “Bastar Ke Sang” folk cultural programme organised at the Bastar Academy of Dance, Art and Literature (BADAL) in Jagdalpur. The event celebrated the tribal traditions, folk dances, and cultural heritage of the Bastar region. The programme was also attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Speaking during the event in Jagdalpur, Amit Shah claimed that Bastar has now become free from Naxal influence. He recalled that during a meeting held on January 21, 2024, the government had set a target to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026. According to Shah, many people had initially doubted whether the goal could be achieved, but he credited the success to the efforts and bravery of security forces, including the DRG and CoBRA units. He also remembered tribal families who lost their loved ones in violence linked to Naxal groups.