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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tricolour Rises In Maoist HQ Foothills: Kawande's First Tryst With Independence Day
1 2 Nagpur: For the first time after 78 years of independence, the national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' will reverberate through this once-impenetrable Maoist stronghold of Kawande on the foothills of Abujmarh hills — the tottering guerrilla headquarters. The towering black flags and red-stamped pamphlets have vanished, and Maoist boycott calls are a distant echo as the remote tribal hamlet on Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border gears up to unfurl the tricolour for the first time. With the area flooded and not congenial for combat boots, police drones will hover in the sky to keep vigil on movements of the last standing guerrillas holed up in the forested, booby-trapped Abujmarh hills. Till a few years ago, Maoists would step out from their hideouts in Gadchiroli to observe August 15 as 'Kala Diwas' or Black Day, hoist black flags in villages and set ablaze tricolours. Here guns boomed, guerrilla kangaroo courts flourished and govt's footprint was non-existent. This year, Kawande in a true sense, will observe its first Independence Day. And this was possible after C-60 commandos and Central paramilitary troopers decimated Maoists on the foothills of Abujmarh and dismantled their 'janatana sarkar'. The Kawande police post, nestled in dense jungles of Bhamragarh taluka in Gadchiroli, will organise a historic flag hoisting on its newly opened premises in March this year. Setting up the post proved a game changer with Devendra Fadnavis becoming the first Maharashtra chief minister to step into the remotest tip of the Red Corridor. Constructed in an unbelievable 48 hours, the police post at Kawande, equipped with Wi-Fi, a water purification plant, and bulletproof fortifications, stands as a stamp of state authority in this remote corner. This was the seventh post opened in two years, signalling a steady erosion of Maoist influence in Gadchiroli. The hoisting of the tricolour will mark a symbolic triumph over decades of Maoist dominance here, replacing their black flags, said SP Gadchiroli Neelotpal. "Relentless operations by C-60 commandos and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were instrumental in this transformation," he said. The encounter in May, when 200 C-60 commandos dismantled a Maoist camp in Abujmarh, significantly weakened the rebels' Bhamragarh dalam, which operated in Kawande and surrounding areas. The operation yielded weapons, detonators, and Maoist literature, underscoring the rebels' intent to disrupt the region. Bloodstains at the site suggested casualties, though the Maoists fled, exploiting the rugged terrain. With security fortified, the region is poised for better roads, education, and health facilities, long denied by the rebels. As the tricolour rises, Kawande stands testimony to the resilience of local tribals and the courage of commandos, most of whom are sourced from Gadchiroli's tribal hamlets. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
After 77 years of independence, state-run bus rolls out on 100km of Red Corridor
Nagpur: After a 78-year wait, the first state-run bus service rolled out on a 100km stretch from Katezari to Gadchiroli, which was once the booby-trapped artery of the Red Corridor , where neither govt nor combat boots had ever set foot. The landmark achievement by Gadchiroli police and Maharashtra State Transport Corporation , followed the dismantling of the 'janata sarkar' or guerrilla rule with the decimation of last standing 'dalams' here. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis used his X handle to hail the occasion, stating it would augur well for the student community, who suffered in isolation without transport facility. He also underscored development as a harbinger of police and citizen rapport. The bus service from April 26 is expected to benefit 12 surrounding villages, providing easier access to tehsil and district headquarters and was welcomed with fanfare by local tribals. Govt officials say the service, which is clocking high footfall, will significantly ease daily struggles of residents, particularly students, who will now have better access to educational opportunities. The service is also anticipated to strengthen trust with police and administration and prevent Naxalism from striking again, said experts. SP Gadchiroli Neelotpal stated four area committees — Korchi, Kasansoor, Chatgaon and Tippagarh — and two dalams (combining areas committees) of north Gadchiroli were wiped out in July last year after 12 Maoists were neutralized. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo "Katezhari had been a problem area for years until the guerrillas were eliminated. Now, commando domination over the area and goodwill generated among villages is a giant step in normalcy in the once insurgency-ridden district," said the SP. Sources stated Katezhari was once the pivot of Maoist operations. The former central committee member Milind Teltumbde, who was neutralized in 2021 at Mardintola encounter, held sway here. After his death, the last few guerrilla formations were decimated by commandos. The initiative to start the bus service marks a significant milestone in tribal-dominated and Maoist-hit Gadchiroli district, where residents relied on foot travel even to ferry the sick to hospitals. The bus service was warmly welcomed by residents, who celebrated its arrival with music and festivities, said a local resident. The inauguration ceremony was led by sub-divisional police officer, Jagdish Pande, who also addressed villagers, offering guidance and encouragement. Inspector Ajay Bhosale, in-charge of Katezhari Police Station, flagged off the bus, officially setting it on its route. On January 1, 2025, a bus service from Gatta to Gardewada and further to Wangeturi was introduced. Over the past five years, under police protection, 435km of roads, 18 roads and 59 bridges have been constructed in the district's remote areas, transforming the lives of residents.
