RAIPUR: This Republic Day will be celebrated in tricolor for at least 30 villages in the former Maoist strongholds of Bastar, once dominated by Hidma’s PLGA Battalion 1. For the first time since the Maoist insurgency broke out in Bastar more than two decades ago, the tribals of these villages will see the unfurling of the national flag instead of the rows of black flags hung by the Maoists.
“This is 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,” the IG P said. Sundarraj of the Bastar rank. Many of the villages are in the Tarrem and Pamed regions that were under the control of the PLGA Battalion 1, commanded by the feared Hidma. But in August, security camps were established in Kondapalli, Jidpalli, Watevagu and Karengatta.
“People have never seen the national flag displayed or hoisted here,” the IG said. The 45-km Tarrem-Pamed axis, which runs along the Telangana border, was once dominated by PLGA 1 but now has several security camps. Although the roads are under construction, they are passable enough to set up campsites. Last year, the police dealt a blow to the hearts of the Maoists when the tricolor flag was hoisted in Puvarti, Hidma’s native village. The thirty-odd villages where Republic Day was once celebrated were “Maoist heartland”.