India declares Bastar Naxal-free during 26th Central Zonal Council meeting on 19 May 2026

Key facts

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared Bastar Naxal-free during the 26th Central Zonal Council meeting held in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.
• The Indian government set a target to completely eradicate Naxalism from India by 31 March 2026.
• Under the 'Seva Dera' model, 70 of 200 security camps will be transformed into 'Veer Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Deras' to provide banking, skill development, and Anganwadi services.
• The government will establish Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) and village dairies to provide one cow and one buffalo to every tribal citizen in Bastar.
• The 'Bastar Pandum' initiative was launched to promote tribal culture, specifically dance, song, language, attire, cuisine, and handicrafts.
• The 26th Central Zonal Council meeting was attended by Chief Ministers Vishnu Deo Sai (Chhattisgarh), Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh), Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand), and Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh).
• Two editions of the Bastar Olympics have been organised, with 3.94 lakh players participating.