In a first, the national flag will be hosted in fourteen remote villages of Chhattisgarh's Naxal-hit Bastar region, since India became an independent nation in 1947. The I-Day celebrations announcement has filled the locals/villagers with enthusiasm.
There are camps being set up near these villages, which have brought a sense of safety and hope where insurgency once ruled. The active involvement of villagers alongside our jawans in preparing for the festivities reflects the deepening bond between the people, the administration, and the security forces, he said.
The security across the state, particularly in the Maoist-affected areas, has been stepped up in view of the Independence Day celebrations, police said.
"Tricolour will be hoisted in Gunjeparti, Pujarikanker, Bhimaram, Korcholi, Kotpalli villages of Bijapur district, Kutul, Bedmakoti, Padamkot, Kandulnar, Nelangur, Pangur, and Rainar of Narayanpur district, and Uskawaya and Nulkatong of Sukma on Friday, where such an event has not been witnessed in the past since independence," Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P stated.
Besides, Independence Day will be celebrated for the first time in 15 other villages of these three districts, which have seen tricolour hoisting for the first time during the Republic Day celebration this year, he said. The establishment of new camps near these villages has pushed the Naxalites on the back foot. It has also resulted in bringing down the incidents of black flag hoisting by Naxals (on Independence and Republic days) to almost zero.
"This August 15 will mark a truly historic milestone for Bastar. The transformation in these remote villages is both inspiring and heartening. What were once zones of fear and intimidation are today being prepared with joy and enthusiasm for the national celebrations. Children can be seen practising patriotic songs, elders are helping prepare the grounds, and entire communities are coming together in the spirit of freedom," the IG said.
"This independence day, Bastar will shine brighter on the map of India - not just in spirit, but in the hearts of its people," he said.
All necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure peaceful and safe celebration of independence day in the entire Bastar Range. Special forces like District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters and Special Task Force'?all wings of state police, and Central Armed Police Force troops have been continuously carrying out patrolling and other area domination activities in their area of responsibilities, he said.
Bastar division, which comprises seven districts, has been struggling with the menace of Left Wing Extremism for over the past three decades.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will hoist the national flag in the morning at the Police Parade ground in Raipur and receive the guard of honour by different units of security personnel. Other ministers and MLAs will take part in the Independence Day celebrations to be held at different places in the state, he added.
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