A remote village in Chhattisgarh, which was inaccessible by road and under Maoist control until a year ago, received electricity for the first time on November 28.
Chhutwahi village, situated in Bijapur district about 50 km from the district headquarters, saw the establishment of a security camp two months ago following anti-Naxal operations and encounters aimed at clearing the area of Maoists.
Bijapur Collector Sambit Mishra stated, “For the first time since Independence, we have been able to provide electricity to the villagers, thanks to increased access to these areas with the establishment of new security camps in Bijapur. Our top priority is to deliver basic amenities as soon as we gain access to villages through these camps. By next year, we aim to establish road connectivity for these communities.”
Mishra added, “In addition to electricity under the Niyad Nellanar scheme, we are also providing water supply through the Jal Jeevan Mission, mobile towers, schools, anganwadis, and access to the public distribution system.”
An official stated that over 100 villages in Bijapur still lack electricity connections. As security forces advance and clear areas of Maoist presence, the administration will be able to extend electricity and other benefits to residents through central and state government schemes.
This year, security forces in Chhattisgarh killed 210 Maoists, marking the highest annual casualty toll for the group since the state’s formation. In the same period, 17 security personnel and 62 civilians have lost their lives in Maoist-related violence across the Bastar region, which includes seven districts, including Bijapur.
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