On Republic Day, the national flag will be raised in 14 remote locations in Chhattisgarh’s Naxalite-affected Bastar region. This comes as security forces push Maoists back from their strongholds, according to an official.
The locations are in the Bijapur, Narayanpur, and Sukma districts, which are part of the seven-district Bastar region.
New security camps in these areas have paved the way for development, the official said.
“Since September, 14 new security camps have been set up near 13 villages,” said Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range), on Saturday.
The villages are Kondapalli, Jidpalli, Vatevagu, and Karregatta in Bijapur district; Horadi, Garpa Kachchapal, and Kodliar in Narayanpur; and Tumallpad, Raigudem, Golakunda, Gomguda, and Mettaguda in Sukma.
In Jidpalli village, two separate camps were set up due to the challenging terrain.
"On Sunday, the national flag will be raised in these 14 locations, where such an event has never been held since independence," he added.
Also Read: New proposal for dolphin sanctuary in Jharkhand's Sahibganj
The new camps have personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in ten camps, Border Security Force (BSF) in three, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in one.
The establishment of these camps has forced Naxalites into retreat.
Thanks to these camps, government welfare programmes, including the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ (your good village) scheme, are reaching tribal areas, aiming for development and providing basic amenities.
Twelve more villages in Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur, and Kanker, where the flag was first hoisted on Independence Day last year, will celebrate Republic Day for the first time on Sunday.
Also Read: Israeli drones aid in eliminating Maoists in Chhattisgarh
This year, at least 42 Naxalites have been killed in separate gunfights with security forces in Chhattisgarh. Last year, security forces neutralised 219 Naxalites in various encounters.
Meanwhile, the state has made preparations in all 33 districts, including the capital Raipur, for Republic Day celebrations, an official said.
Governor Ramen Deak will unfurl the national flag in Raipur at the Police Parade ground and receive the guard of honor from different security units. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will raise the tricolor in Ambikapur, Surguja district.
Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma will attend celebrations in Raigarh and Bastar, respectively. Other ministers and MLAs will join events in different parts of the state.
In light of the celebrations, security has been increased, especially in Maoist-affected areas, police said.
Also Read: Police destroy 150 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Jharkhand
Follow us
