President Droupadi Murmu said in Jagdalpur on Friday that Chhattisgarh has been freed from the menace of Naxalism and is now rapidly moving on the path of progress, PTI reported. She also said tribal youth will actively participate in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation.

Source: PTI via Dailyworld

Addressing the Muria Darbar during the Bastar Dussehra celebrations, the President urged tribal communities to use their traditional community mechanisms — where the village Majhi calls a meeting to resolve quarrels, land or property disputes and personal problems — instead of spending years in police stations and courts, ANI reported.

Source: ANI via Apna Matv

"Change your thinking with time, but do not change your traditions. Educate your children. The government is with you," she said, urging people to remain united against attempts by Naxalites to mislead them, according to ANI.

Bastar Dussehra, devoted to Maa Danteshwari and celebrated over about 75 days, is among the world's longest festivals, and the Muria Darbar is its traditional tribal assembly. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who welcomed the President, described her participation as historic and said, in his words, that Naxalism had been eradicated from the Bastar region; he also accused the Congress of having used the tribal community as a vote bank — a political claim by the Chief Minister.