After decades of silence, celebration returns to Bastar’s heartland
The changing sounds of Bastar can now be heard and felt in villages deep within the forests of southern Chhattisgarh.
The changing sounds of Bastar can now be heard and felt in villages deep within the forests of southern Chhattisgarh.
The cadres, belonging to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the Maoist movement, surrendered under the state government’s “Poona Margaem-Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation” initiative, choosing to abandon violence and rejoin the mainstream.
The exchange of fire broke out in the early hours when a joint team conducting a search operation came face to face with the Maoists. Officials said the gun battle lasted for a brief period before the extremists retreated into the dense terrain.
As Chhattisgarh remains one of the most sensitive states affected by Naxal violence, particularly in the Bastar region, the visit assumes significance in view of the Centre's intensified anti-Naxal operations.
The cadres surrendered along with automatic weapons and ammunition under the Poona Margem initiative being carried out by Chhattisgarh Police. Two of those who laid down arms are women.
This flagship investment promotion initiative has already been successfully organized in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Raipur, and internationally in Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul—securing investment commitments worth ₹6.65 lakh crore since November 2024.
Among them was Constable Yanshi Nag, a B.Sc. (Agriculture) graduate who joined the Chhattisgarh Police with a clear sense of duty.
The meeting aimed to explore ways to transform Maoist-affected areas into hubs of growth and development.
Tiriya was selected from over 190 nominations worldwide, placing it among the most inspiring grassroots efforts in environmental stewardship.
Bastar, a region renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, has long struggled under the shadow of Maoist violence.
