Raipur, August 16, 2025/ 78 years after independence, the tricolor was proudly hoisted in those villages of Bastar, where the red flag of the Naxalites was considered the symbol of power and fear. On the occasion of Independence Day, the national flag was hoisted for the first time in 29 villages of Bijapur, Narayanpur and Sukma districts. Hoisting the tricolor in these villages, which have been living in the shadow of gun barrels and fear for decades, is not just an event, but a historic picture of the changing Bastar. This picture shows that the sacrifice of the security forces, the strong will of the government and the hope of the villagers have together paved the way for peace and development in the areas considered the stronghold of Naxalism. Hoisting the tricolor in these villages is proof of that historic change, which has been made possible by the courage of the security forces, the strong will of the state and central governments and, above all, the patience and trust of the villagers. Villages like Kondapalli, Jeedpalli, Watewagu, Karregutta, Piria, Pujarikanker and Bhimaram of Bijapur district; many villages including Garpa, Kacchapal, Bedmakotti, Kandoolnar, Raynar of Narayanpur district; and the hoisting of the tricolor for the first time after independence in Naxal-affected areas like Gomguda, Gollakunda, Nulkatong and Usakavaya of Sukma district is a historic milestone.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said that this achievement is the result of the resolution of our good governance government, in which the goal of bringing a new stream of peace and development in the Naxal-affected areas has been set. “Bastar is now moving out of fear and violence towards progress, prosperity and trust. The government is committed that the light of development will reach every village and no citizen will be untouched by the light of development,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma called it the result of the hard work of the security forces and the patience of the local communities. He said that “the red flag had cast a shadow of fear for decades in the villages where the tricolor was hoisted today. This is a symbol of a new dawn in Bastar. The central and state governments are working continuously for the development of Bastar.
In the last few years, the Naxal cadre has weakened due to the new strategy of the security forces, the establishment of camps and continuous pressure. Surrender policies have brought a large number of insurgents back into the mainstream. At the same time, the government has made it clear that not only security measures, but development is the permanent solution. For this reason, the facilities of road, electricity, health and education, including the Niyad Nalla Nar scheme, are expanding rapidly. Villagers have started getting direct benefits from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, MNREGA and other schemes. Winning the trust of the villagers has been the biggest basis of this historic change. Health camps, new opportunities for education and employment and the sensitive attitude of the administration are giving the message to the villagers that the government is standing with them.
This new picture of Bastar gives a message to the whole country that when willpower, strategy and public participation come together, no challenge remains impossible. The tricolor hoisted in these 29 villages of Bastar including Karregutta is a symbol of that new dawn, which is moving towards a future filled with peace, development and self-confidence, leaving behind the dark night of violence.