Raipur/Jagdalpur: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Jagdalpur of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Tuesday, officials said.
This marked the first time the Central Zonal Council held its meeting in Bastar.
Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai, Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav, Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, and Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the high-level deliberations.
The meeting focused on coordinated efforts between the Centre and states for faster development, better law and order, and resolution of inter-state issues.
Participants discussed key subjects including infrastructure development, connectivity projects related to roads, railways, and telecom, and welfare measures for tribal communities.
Special attention was given to improving health, education, and livelihood opportunities in tribal areas.
A major highlight of the discussions was strengthening security and rooting out the remnants of Naxalism.
The council deliberated on better coordination between states for crime control, intelligence sharing, and maintaining peace in the region.
Emphasis was also placed on resolving inter-state disputes, improving power supply, water resources management, and internal security matters.
Senior officials reviewed strategies for Maoist-affected areas, aiming to enhance security infrastructure while simultaneously pushing development initiatives.
The meeting highlighted the need for swift action on women’s safety, particularly in cases of atrocities and crimes against them.
The state government aims to reposition Bastar beyond its past association with conflict, turning it into a hub of tourism, investment, rapid development, and strong governance.
This gathering in the heart of what was once a Maoist stronghold carries strong symbolic importance.
It signals the shift from conflict to progress in the region.
With improved security and enhanced coordination between states and the Centre, the focus is now firmly on delivering tangible benefits to local communities and building a new development model for Bastar.
The successful holding of this meeting is being seen as a step towards fulfilling long-pending aspirations of the people in the region.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, and the Directors General of Police of the four states, along with senior police and administrative officials, are also attending the meeting.
(IANS)
