Naxals on backfoot, peace restored in Bastar: Baghel

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday said that Naxalites were now on the backfoot and that peace has been restored in Bastar.

Talking to reporters in Dantewada, he said people of Bastar were now coming back to the mainstream as they were fed up with bloodshed.

The scenario in Bastar, once considered a bastion of Maoists, was fast changing and people in the region were moving ahead shoulder to shoulder with the government, he said.

The Chhattisgarh government was acting on building trust, development and security and winning the hearts in Bastar, he said.

Citing that the numbers of minor forest produce had been increased from 7 to 65, the Chief Minister said value addition of amchur and mahua had increased the income of tribal populace.

The mahua of Bastar was now exported and homegrown clothing brand Dannex was all set to do business globally, he said.