Raipur, Feb 27: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday welcomed 120 rehabilitated former Naxalites to the State Legislative Assembly, marking a significant milestone in their reintegration into the democratic mainstream. The group, comprising individuals who renounced Maoist ideology under the state’s rehabilitation policy, visited the House to observe legislative proceedings and understand the functioning of the parliamentary system.
Chief Minister Sai interacted with the youth at the Assembly premises with the traditional greeting of “Jai Johar,” assuring them of the government’s commitment to their safety and dignity. He stated that the state has framed a comprehensive policy to provide respectable livelihood opportunities to those abandoning the path of violence.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma congratulated the group for embracing the Constitution over the “gun system.” He noted that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the vision for a transformed Bastar is being realised. Sharma later hosted a dinner for the group at his residence in Nava Raipur, where he discussed processing minor forest produce through cooperative models to boost regional development.
The visiting delegation included high-ranking former cadres, featuring one Central Committee Member (CCM), five Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee members, and seven Divisional Committee members. Of the 120 participants, 66 were men and 54 were women.
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Raman Singh termed the visit a “historic event,” welcoming the group as they transition toward upholding the Constitution of India. The atmosphere turned emotional as ministers and the youth collectively raised slogans of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” within the premises.
Several cabinet members, including Finance Minister OP Choudhary, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, and Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, met the group to assure continued state support. The youth described the firsthand experience of witnessing the democratic process as inspiring, reaffirming their commitment to contributing positively to society.