India, April 1 -- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday asserted Chhattisgarh was now "free" of Naxalism and described March 31, the deadline set by the Centre to eradicate Maoism, as a "historic" day for the state, which was once a hotbed of the violent movement. Targeting the Opposition Congress, Sai alleged that during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', party leader Rahul Gandhi had shared the stage with Naxalites at several locations.

Speaking on the sidelines of a programme in Raipur, the CM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for providing decisive leadership in the fight against Left-wing extremism (LWE) and said the insurgency had long been a major obstacle to development.

"Today marks a truly histori...