From Red corridors to national pride: Bastar Tiranga Yatra ends atop Karregutta hills in Bijapur
The three-day Bastar Tiranga Yatra in Chhattisgarh, which covered nearly 600km through areas once considered Maoist strongholds, culminated on Friday with the hoisting of the national flag at Karregutta hills in Bijapur district, adding a new chapter in the region's history.
The yatra, involving more than 200 motorcycle riders carrying the tricolour, passed through Sukma, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewada and Bijapur districts, showcasing the sprawling region's transformation from the ground zero of Maoist violence to a zone of peace and security, five months after Chhattisgarh was declared free from armed Left-Wing Extremism.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap led the motorcycle procession during the entire yatra, joined by several public representatives, local residents and community leaders.
The final destination was Karregutta, a hill range that had long been regarded as a formidable Maoist hideout on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border and witnessed an extensive anti-Maoist operation by security forces.
After reaching the hilltop, Sharma and Kashyap met security personnel, planted saplings in memory of soldiers who lost their lives in the decades-long fight against Maoism and hoisted the tricolour on the eve of Independence Day, an official statement said.
"Today, the dream we had seen has come true. The people of Bastar have won, the people here have won, the indomitable valour of our martyred soldiers has won and the Maoists have lost," Sharma declared.
An emotional Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Home portfolio, described the flag-hoisting at Karregutta as one of the most important days of his life.
"I am hoisting the flag at a place that was once considered the safest stronghold of Maoists. People say ministers visit camps to boost the morale of soldiers, but the reality is that I come here to draw energy from you," Sharma told the security personnel.
He said the Centre had honoured 141 Chhattisgarh police personnel with distinguished and gallantry service medals for their contribution in the anti-Naxal fight and dedication to duty.
"The fear in the hearts of Bastar's people had already gone. The Bastar Tiranga Yatra has removed whatever remained," he asserted.
He said the Constitution authored by B R Ambedkar is now being implemented in every corner of Bastar and vowed to push for the overall development of the seven-district region.
"There is still much work to be done in Bastar. Development will take place, but it will move at Bastar's own pace," Sharma said.
The BJP government was committed to making the region prosperous under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and with the guidance of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, he stated.
Kashyap pointed out that the route covered by the yatra was one where people had earlier been afraid to travel even during the daytime.
"This has been possible because of PM Narendra Modi's vision and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's guidance," he said.
He described the 600-km journey as historic and said the tricolour was flying with pride in areas where it was difficult to hold national celebrations in the past.
The two ministers planted saplings at Awapalli, Galgam, Usur, Nambi, Tadpala and Karregutta in memory of security personnel killed in Maoist-related incidents and collected soil from places associated with their martyrdom, the release said.
They met families of the fallen security personnel and local villagers during the journey, it said.
The yatra received enthusiastic welcomes from residents along the route. Children and villagers gathered at several places, chanting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Jai Tiranga".
On Thursday night, Sharma and Kashyap reached Tekalgudem, once among the worst-affected Maoist areas. Residents of Puvarti, the native village of slain dreaded Maoist commander Hidma, came out of their homes to welcome the procession, said the statement.
Despite heavy rains, villagers from Silger, Tadmetla, Tarrem and Jagargunda waited along the route to greet the leaders and wave the tricolour, it added.
