JAGDALPUR: For years, the scars of landmines and Maoist violence have been a painful reality for several families in Bastar. Sudden explosions have irrevocably altered lives, claiming hands, legs, and, in many cases, the ability to live independently.
For these victims, a free disability assistance camp at the Dharampura Sports Complex in Jagdalpur offered a new ray of hope. Artificial limbs, assistive devices, and rehabilitation support are empowering those who lost limbs to Maoist violence to stand, walk, and live independently once again.
The camp is more than just a distribution point for artificial limbs; for many beneficiaries, it’s about reclaiming the confidence and dignity lost after devastating explosions.
Organized under the Seva Sankalp campaign, this mega camp has registered over 3,800 persons with disabilities from four districts in the Bastar division—Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur. Many among them are victims of Maoist-related IED explosions who have lived for years with the profound consequences of violence.
Specialists at the camp examine beneficiaries, take measurements, and prepare artificial hands, legs, and calipers tailored to individual requirements.
Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who visited the camp, stated that the government stands with people affected by Naxal violence with sensitivity and determination. He emphasized that efforts to help those who lost limbs regain self-reliance are a crucial part of the rehabilitation process.
Three Years Later, Ronu Lifts a Glass Again
Among the many emotional moments at the camp, the story of Ronu, a resident of Manjhiguda, deeply touched those present.
Ronu lost his hand in an accident three years ago. Since then, even simple everyday activities became challenging, forcing him to live with the limitations of his disability.
But at the camp, after being fitted with an artificial hand, Ronu performed a seemingly ordinary yet profoundly meaningful act—he picked up a glass of water and drank from it himself.
For others, it might have been a simple action. For Ronu, it was a moment of regained independence after three years.
नारायणपुर के राकेश कुमार यादव जी ने IED ब्लास्ट में अपना पैर खो दिया, लेकिन हौसला नहीं।
बस्तर की मिट्टी की यही संवेदना है—दर्द कितना भी गहरा हो, उम्मीद का हाथ कभी नहीं छूटता। आज कृत्रिम पैर के सहारे राकेश जी फिर अपने कदम बढ़ा रहे हैं।
पैर गया है, हौसला नहीं… जिंदगी फिर चल पड़ी… pic.twitter.com/VGfvaOfZfc
— Vijay sharma (@vijaysharmacg) October 6, 2026
The organizers affirmed that such moments reflect the true objective of the campaign: not merely to provide equipment to persons with disabilities, but to help restore their confidence, self-respect, and sense of independence.
Santosh Poyam Awaits the Ability to Walk Again
Another poignant story is that of Santosh Poyam, who lost both his legs in a Naxal IED explosion.
Despite the devastating injury, Santosh’s spirit remains unbroken. According to Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Santosh will soon receive artificial legs that will enable him to stand and walk without support, eventually regaining greater mobility.
नक्सली IED विस्फोट में संतोष पोयम भाई ने अपने दोनों पैर खो दिए, लेकिन उनका हौसला नहीं टूटा।
जल्द ही उन्हें कृत्रिम पैर मिलेंगे, जिसके सहारे वे फिर से अपने पैरों पर खड़े होकर बिना किसी सहारे चल सकेंगे और निडर होकर दौड़ सकेंगे।
उनके जीवन में फिर से चलने की उम्मीद लौटते देखना मेरे… pic.twitter.com/m4UWBZIGPk
— Vijay sharma (@vijaysharmacg) October 5, 2026
Sharing his experience on social media, Sharma described seeing the hope of walking return to Santosh’s life as an intensely satisfying and emotional moment.
Santosh’s story underscores the human cost of Naxal violence. The explosion may have taken his legs, but it did not diminish his determination to rebuild his life.
Restoring More Than Physical Mobility
During his visit to the camp, Sharma observed individuals who had lost their legs in IED blasts walking again with the help of artificial limbs. He also witnessed people with hearing difficulties receiving hearing aids and regaining their ability to hear.
The initiative aims to reach every eligible person requiring assistance, especially those who have remained outside the formal rehabilitation network due to difficult circumstances or geographical isolation.
Beyond providing assistive devices, the camp also facilitates medical certificates, disability pensions, and linkages with various social security schemes, ensuring that rehabilitation extends beyond the distribution of an assistive device.
Artificial Limbs Prepared On-Site
A significant feature of the camp is its modern on-site workshop. Instead of requiring beneficiaries to wait for long periods for customized equipment, specialists take measurements at the venue and prepare artificial hands, legs, and calipers based on individual needs.
This facility is particularly crucial for people who have spent years adjusting their lives around physical disabilities caused by explosions.
In addition to artificial limbs, beneficiaries receive wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, hearing aids, smart sticks, and other assistive devices free of cost. Facilities are also available for repairing old or damaged artificial limbs.
For those who once depended on others for basic daily activities, these devices can signify the difference between dependence and independence.
More Than 3,800 Persons Registered
The first phase of the mega camp at the Dharampura Sports Complex took place from October 5 to 7, serving persons with disabilities from Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur districts. More than 3,800 people have registered for assistance, including approximately 1,570 beneficiaries from Bastar district alone.
The second phase of the disability assistance program will be held in Dantewada from October 15 to 17, covering beneficiaries from Dantewada, Sukma, and Bijapur districts.
Individuals requiring assistance can register through the Collector, Superintendent of Police, District Panchayat CEO, or Janpad Panchayat CEO. Information about eligible beneficiaries is also being collected at the gram panchayat level to ensure that those living in remote areas are not overlooked.
Those who have not completed prior registration can also directly attend the camp. Arrangements for food and accommodation are being made for beneficiaries.
Deputy Chief Minister Sharma has appealed to persons with disabilities across the Bastar division, particularly those affected by IED explosions, to take advantage of this initiative.
For victims of Naxal violence, the artificial limbs provided at the camp carry a meaning far beyond their physical utility. They represent an opportunity to regain control over everyday life—to stand without support, to walk independently, to perform simple tasks, and to once again look towards the future with confidence.
In Bastar, where violence once left families struggling to cope with loss and disability, these small but powerful moments of recovery offer a different message.
A hand that can once again lift a glass. A leg that can help someone stand. A person who can take a step without assistance.
For the beneficiaries of the camp, each of these is a step away from the memories of violence and a step towards dignity, self-reliance, and hope.
