RAIPUR: This Republic Day will come in Tricolour for at least 30 villages in the erstwhile Maoist strongholds of Bastar, once dominated by Hidma’s PLGA Battalion 1. For the first time since the Maoist insurgency erupted in Bastar over two decades ago, tribals in these villages will see the unfurling of the national flag instead of the rows of black flags strung up by Maoists.
“It’s for the first time that Republic Day will be celebrated in these villages. There are 14 newly established security camps here – five each in Bijapur and Sukma districts, and four in Narayanpur,” said Bastar range IG P Sundarraj. Many of the villages are in Tarrem and Pamed regions that were under the grip of the PLGA Battalion 1, commanded by the dreaded Hidma. But security camps were set up in Kondapalli, Jidpalli, Watevagu and Karengatta in Aug.
“People have never seen unfurling or hoisting of the national flag here,” the IG said. The 45km Tarrem-Pamed axis – skirting the Telangana border – was once dominated by PLGA 1 but now has several security camps. Though roads are under construction, yet they are motorable enough to establish camps. Police had struck a blow at the heart of Maoists last year when the Tricolour was hoisted in Puvarti, Hidma’s native village. The 30-odd villages where Republic Day were once “core Maoist area”.
