Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated the resolve that red terror will end in Chhattisgarh by the end of March next year. Addressing the closing ceremony of Bastar Pandum in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, today, the home minister appealed to the Maoists to lay down their arms and join the mainstream. He praised the Bastar Pandum for promoting Chhattisgarh’s tribal art and craft, announcing that artists from every tribal district will participate next year.

During his visit to Dantewada, the Union Home Minister interacted with personnel of various security forces and also had lunch with them. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the culture of the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, its dialect, songs, musical instruments, dance and cuisine are the jewels of the culture not only of Chhattisgarh but of India as well. He announced that from next year, there will be competitions in twelve categories under Bastar Pandum, and artists from every tribal district of the country will participate in it. Apart from this, ambassadors of various countries will be taken on a tour of various districts of Bastar to give international status to Bastar Pandum and introduce the world to the culture of Bastar.