RAIPUR/NAGPUR: The Tricolour was unfurled this Republic Day for the first time in nine Chhattisgarh tribal villages of the Bastar region so far in the grip of Maoist terror while a near-similar feat was accomplished in a remote booby-trapped hamlet in Maharashtra rebel den Gadchiroli.
In Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, it was the first R-Day celebration in these villages since Independence, IG P Sundarraj said. Dumripalnar, Murkrajkonda, Saletong, Duled, Kawadgaon, Mudhvandi, Pariya, Muler, Palnar villages in Bijapur and Sukma districts had never seen the Tricolour being unfurled, police said.
“The fight against Left-wing extremism has reached its final and decisive phase. We are hopeful of establishing a positive and vibrant identity in the region,” the IG said.
Residents of other remote villages in Bastar joined hands with the authorities, police and central forces to celebrate the 75th Republic Day, said officers, adding the ripple effect will boost the morale of people in many more Maoist-hit pockets.
In Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, the flag-hoisting took place in Irapner deep inside the Maoist liberated zone, 5km off the guerrilla headquarters of Abujhmarh, where till now black flags were hoisted and the national flag desecrated or burnt. An elderly couple, who had been cowering in fear of Maoist reprisals since their son joined the army last year, proudly strode up to the podium to script history on Friday.
This was achieved after sub-divisional police officer Nitin Ganapure marched 5km at the break of dawn through a forested stretch with commandos to bestow the honour on the soldier’s parents — Sitaram Gawade, 70, and wife, Pochibai, 62.
“Sitaram, who is physically challenged, proudly hoisted the flag with one hand amid cheers from villagers,” said Ganapure, describing it as a message to the Maoists. In 2022, over two dozen tractors and JCB machines were torched by the rebels in Irapner when the first infrastructure footprint was being laid.
The Tricolour was also hoisted in another Maoist stronghold of Bisamundi village in restive Etapalli taluka.
In Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, it was the first R-Day celebration in these villages since Independence, IG P Sundarraj said. Dumripalnar, Murkrajkonda, Saletong, Duled, Kawadgaon, Mudhvandi, Pariya, Muler, Palnar villages in Bijapur and Sukma districts had never seen the Tricolour being unfurled, police said.
“The fight against Left-wing extremism has reached its final and decisive phase. We are hopeful of establishing a positive and vibrant identity in the region,” the IG said.
Residents of other remote villages in Bastar joined hands with the authorities, police and central forces to celebrate the 75th Republic Day, said officers, adding the ripple effect will boost the morale of people in many more Maoist-hit pockets.
In Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, the flag-hoisting took place in Irapner deep inside the Maoist liberated zone, 5km off the guerrilla headquarters of Abujhmarh, where till now black flags were hoisted and the national flag desecrated or burnt. An elderly couple, who had been cowering in fear of Maoist reprisals since their son joined the army last year, proudly strode up to the podium to script history on Friday.
This was achieved after sub-divisional police officer Nitin Ganapure marched 5km at the break of dawn through a forested stretch with commandos to bestow the honour on the soldier’s parents — Sitaram Gawade, 70, and wife, Pochibai, 62.
“Sitaram, who is physically challenged, proudly hoisted the flag with one hand amid cheers from villagers,” said Ganapure, describing it as a message to the Maoists. In 2022, over two dozen tractors and JCB machines were torched by the rebels in Irapner when the first infrastructure footprint was being laid.
The Tricolour was also hoisted in another Maoist stronghold of Bisamundi village in restive Etapalli taluka.
