3 days ago
Tricolour hoisted for first time in Maoist stronghold Abujhmarh
Raipur: Independence Day 2025 carried a special significance in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region as two landmark events unfolded — the tricolour was hoisted for the first time deep inside Abujhmarh region, a Maoist stronghold, and a memorial dedicated to 460 fallen CRPF personnel was inaugurated along Bastar's Kondagaon district.
For decades, the rugged and forested expanse of Abujhmarh was synonymous with Maoist influence, where state presence was minimal and public celebrations were nearly impossible. On Friday, however, the 133rd battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) broke new ground by organising Independence Day functions at Company Operating Bases (COBs) Garpa, Kandulnar, and Horadi, alongside the battalion headquarters in Sonpur.
At these once-inaccessible villages, the tricolour fluttered high as local residents, women, children, and teachers gathered with BSF personnel to mark 79th Independence Day.
Commandant Kamal Sharma of 133rd Battalion said the celebrations were "living proof that peace, unity, and development can triumph over fear and violence." He credited the cooperation of villagers and the gradual trust-building between security forces and locals for making such a historic moment possible.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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In another development in Kondagaon, 188th battalion of CRPF dedicated a permanent memorial to honour the supreme sacrifice of its 460 personnel who laid down their lives in Bastar while combating Maoist insurgency between 2003 and Aug 15, 2025.
Constructed on a self-help basis, the CRPF Shaheed Smarak stands prominently on NH-30, outside the battalion camp, ensuring visibility for both locals and tourists. The memorial features the names of 20 gazetted officers, 44 subordinate officers, and 396 other ranks who made the ultimate sacrifice in counter-insurgency operations.
Commandant Bhavesh Chaudhary of 188 Bn said the memorial will serve as "an enduring inspiration for future generations and a reminder of the CRPF's valour and commitment in the fight against Naxalism in Chhattisgarh."
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