Independence Day in Naxal affected areas

Every year India celebrates the day of freedom, the Independence Day with passion and zeal. This year India marked the end of 76th year of independence and celebrated the 77th day of freedom, looking forward to another year of Independent India. 15th August was celebrated by each patriot of the country joyfully.

Although almost every region of the India celebrates this auspicious day there are still some areas that are yet to experience this. These are the Naxal-affected areas. The members of the terrorist organisation, Communist Party of India (Maoist) or CPI (Maoist) are a threat to the internal security of the country.

They not only cause problems to the government but also limit the resources of the people living in these areas. Naxals also prohibit people from celebrating this joyful day, indicating that they are still not free. However, the courageous villagers of these regions are slowly stepping out to celebrate the freedom the country has earned and deserves.

This year villages that could not celebrate Independence Day before, celebrated their first Independence Day. Chhattisgarh’s highly sensitive Naxal-affected villages of Burgum, Tumrigunda and Badegadam experienced their 1st Independence Day on 15th August, 2023.

This was the first time in 76 years that these areas were able to join the rest of the India in the celebration of freedom. Police, soldiers of Bastar Fighters, villagers, children and even surrendered Naxalites were a part of national flag hoisting ceremony in these areas.

The process of freeing India from these terrorist organisations and helping the bound villagers in realising and celebrating freedom is gaining a fast pace. Since the last few years many villagers with Policemen have celebrated Independence Day in Naxal affected areas for the very first time.

In 2022, villagers in Odisha’s Swabhiman Anchal waved the Indian flag on top of a Maoist memorial on 15th August. In the past, the Naxalites used to oppose the celebration of Independence Day and Republic Day.

Hoisting of the flag was not allowed even in the government offices of the area. With the combined efforts of the government and security forces, the people of this area were able to celebrate the Independence Day with the rest of the country for the first time.

In 2021, another area of Odisha experienced its first flag hoisting ceremony on the Independence Day with the help of Border Security Force (BSF). The area is the Company Operating Base (COB) located at Mohupadar, deep inside the forest along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border. The BSF officers, Sarpanch, Police officials and the locals were present in the 1st flag hoisting ceremony of the newly created base to show their enthusiasm towards the Freedom Day.

In the year 2020, a former Naxal leader himself hoisted a flag in the West Midnapore district of West Bengal. The ex-leader, Prasanta Mahato hosted the flag, sang the national anthem, and also distributed sweets to the children as a part of celebrating the 74th Independence Day. Mahato admitted he was wrong and now is on the path of becoming a good Indian citizen by obeying the constitution.

To oppose national celebration days like the Independence Day and the republic day, the banned organization, CPI (M) forbids anyone from celebrating and instead hoists a black flag as a sign of their opposition in the Naxal-affected areas.

These areas are now becoming less and less in number showcasing the efforts of Government, Security Forces, Police and Villagers. Many villages are now celebrating their first Independence Day with the hoist of the tricolour flag, marking the beginning of new, colourful and a freer India.