On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined security personnel at the CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur, Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, to celebrate Diwali and recognise their contribution to the fight against Maoist insurgency.
The facility has served as an important training and operational centre for security forces conducting anti-Naxal operations across Bastar and Abujhmad, areas that previously faced a strong Maoist presence.
Addressing the personnel, PM Modi said he had chosen to spend the festival with security forces rather than celebrate it with his family, as he considered those protecting the country an extension of his own family.
Prime Minister Modi said that while millions of people were gathering with their loved ones for Diwali, he wanted to share the festive occasion with those safeguarding India’s borders and internal security.
The Prime Minister credited the personnel’s determination and sacrifices for the changes in Bastar, noting that the region was moving towards development after years of Naxal violence.
Describing this year’s celebration as a historic occasion, PM Modi said the country was marking Diwali after achieving a major breakthrough in its prolonged fight against Maoist extremism. He claimed that every district in India was now free from Naxalism and that millions of people had overcome the fear associated with the insurgency.
The Prime Minister further acknowledged the contribution of security personnel, saying their courage and dedication deserved significant recognition for the country’s achievement. He said his presence at the base was intended to honour their service and celebrate the festival alongside them.
Also Read: ‘Special Bond With Bastar’: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Welcomes PM Modi Ahead Of Diwali Visit
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