RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to celebrate Diwali with security personnel in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, continuing his annual tradition of marking the festival with members of the armed forces and security agencies.
Modi announced his visit in a post on X on Sunday, saying he was travelling to Bastar to pay tribute to security personnel for their service and sacrifices.
“Heading to Bastar to celebrate Diwali with our brave security forces. This is an area where Naxalism once held sway and now, development is flourishing. I am going to salute our brave security personnel for their sacrifices, selfless service and unwavering devotion to the nation,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s visit comes as Bastar, which was once a major centre of Maoist insurgency, remains a key focus of security operations and development initiatives in Chhattisgarh.
Earlier on Saturday, Modi extended Diwali greetings to people across the country in a video message. He said celebrating the festival with security personnel had become an annual tradition and that he would continue it this year.
Since taking office in 2014, Modi has marked Diwali with security personnel at locations including Siachen, the Line of Control, border areas and naval installations.
This year’s visit to Bastar places the focus on a region that has been at the centre of the Centre’s campaign against Maoist insurgency and its push for development in tribal areas.
With input from media reports.