Latest news with #NiyadNellanar
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh: 22 Maoists carrying bounty of Rs 37.5 lakh surrender in Narayanpur district
RAIPUR: About 22 Maoists carrying combined bounties of Rs 37.5 lakh surrendered before Narayanpur police in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division on Friday. Among them are eight women, and senior cadres such as Sukhlal Kunjam, the Area Commander of the Kutul Area Committee, who alone carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His wife, also an active Maoist, surrendered alongside him. The surrendered members were active in the Kutul, Nelnar, and Indravati area committees within the Marh division of Narayanpur district. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, in a statement said, 'People now choose the path of development over the barrel of a gun.' He added that a total of 1,476 Maoists have surrendered under the current government. Highlighting the success of the govt's renewed rehabilitation strategy, CM Sai attributed the positive shift to the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 and welfare-driven initiatives like the 'Niyad Nellanar' programme, which have fostered trust among locals and rebels alike. 'We are fully committed to the reintegration of these surrendered cadres into mainstream society,' the Chief Minister said, reiterating the state's and Centre's joint resolve to eradicate Naxalism completely by March 31, 2026. Narayanpur SP Robinson Guria said, this year, a total of 132 Maoists of various ranks have laid down arms, highlighting the growing impact of the intensified anti-Naxal 'Marh Bachao' (Save Marh) campaign. The operation is being conducted jointly by Narayanpur police, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force (BSF), and State Task Force (STF). Each surrendered Maoist received a Rs 50,000 incentive cheque as part of the govt's new rehabilitation policy, which guarantees further benefits aimed at their reintegration into society. SP said that among the notable ones who surrendered includesManku Kunjam alias Sukhlal Kunjam, Secretary of Kutul Area Committee, bounty Rs 8 lakh, Hidme Kunjam, Supply Team ACM, bounty Rs 5 lakh, Punna Lal alias Boti alias Santu Oyam, Nelnar Area Jan Militia Commander, bounty Rs 5 lakh and other cadres holding various leadership positions within the Janatana Sarkar and militia groups, with bounties ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh SP Robinson Guria appealed to the Maoists to 'leave behind deceptive external influences and restore Marh to its rightful inhabitants so they can live fearless, normal lives.'
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Time of India
Mobile tower installed in Chhattisgarh village where Naxals killed 8 security men in Jan
Raipur: A mobile tower has been installed at a remote village in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, where Naxals blew up a vehicle using an IED killing eight security men and their civilian driver in January, police said, allowing residents to access Internet and other telecom services. A police official posted in the Bastar region said on Wednesday the new mobile tower at Ambeli village started functioning on Monday (June 16). Residents of Ambeli and nearby villages Uskapatnam, Karkeli and Tungeli will now have access to faster mobile connectivity and Internet services, he said. The facility of mobile tower has been provided under the 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) initiative of the state government, aimed at facilitating development works in remote villages, and the Centre-sponsored Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme, the official informed. "Now, it has become possible for villagers to get benefits of mobile network. Besides, students studying in rural areas and the youth preparing for competitive exams will get the benefit of strong network and Internet facility," he said. Keeping in view the growing need of mobile and Internet services in day-to-day life, cellphone towers are being installed to strengthen telecom communication system in the Bastar region, where security forces are engaged in all-out operations against Maoists, the official maintained. The vast region consists of seven districts, including Bijapur. "It is a crucial important step, which will provide better communication facilities to people and they will be able to connect with others in rest of the country and abroad. Besides, it will play an important role in development of the area," the official added. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by Naxalites are being cleared and police and administration are working with full commitment to ensure basic amenities like schools, hospitals, water, roads, anganwadis (child care centres) and mobile towers are available in the region, he said. On January 6, Naxals blew up a vehicle using an IED weighing 60 to 70 kg, killing eight security personnel and their civilian driver near Ambeli village under the Kutru police station area of Bijapur.
India Gazette
07-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Bastar is now known for digital transformation, not fear: Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai
New Delhi [India], June 7 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday. During the meeting, he presented the changing face of Bastar, highlighting peace and development initiatives, and also briefed the Prime Minister about the recently held Su-Shasan Tihar (Good Governance Festival) in Chhattisgarh. During his visit to Delhi, the Chief Minister also called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence, where they discussed key issues, including state development and anti-Naxal operations. The Chief Minister stated that Bastar, once known for guns and landmines, is now witnessing the rise of mobile towers -- not just as tools of communication, but as symbols of progress and trust. He informed that in the past one and a half years, the state government has established 64 new forward security camps in the region. These camps have not only enhanced the sense of safety in nearby villages but have also brought mobile network connectivity to previously remote areas. A total of 671 mobile towers have been activated so far, with 365 of them providing 4G services. This marks the beginning of a digital revolution in tribal regions. 'Today, these mobile towers signify more than just connectivity,' the Chief Minister said. 'They represent a future where children and youth in Bastar are now part of the digital world. Where earlier they had to travel to cities to prepare for exams or access education, now the same opportunities are available in their own villages through online platforms. Young people in Bastar are shaping their own futures using smartphones,' he said. He also highlighted that villages around these security camps are now receiving basic amenities like electricity, drinking water, healthcare, and education. Under the Niyad Nellanar scheme, 18 community services and 25 government welfare schemes are being implemented simultaneously in 146 identified villages. The Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister on the success of Su-Shasan Tihar, during which hundreds of grievance redressal camps were organised. From MPs to MLAs, public representatives directly visited villages to address people's concerns. At these camps, citizens received services such as ration cards, Aadhaar updates, pensions, health check-ups, school admissions, Ayushman cards, PM Awas, and Ujjwala gas connections -- all under one roof. CM Sai also presented a detailed account of Chhattisgarh's initiatives and innovations in the field of water conservation. He emphasised that the state is working in mission mode to tackle water scarcity, combining community participation with technological interventions at every level. The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that due to changing climate patterns, the number of rainy days in Chhattisgarh has reduced from around 100 to just 65 annually. In response, the state has launched a unique initiative titled 'Water Conservation Initiative - Chhattisgarh's Model for a Secure Future'. As part of this model, innovative water-saving methods are being adopted in villages. Where rainwater earlier flowed away, efforts are now being made to capture and store it. Technologies like GIS mapping and the Jaldoot mobile app are being used to identify critical areas in need of water infrastructure. Most significantly, women are playing a central role in this campaign. Women's groups are actively involved in cleaning and deepening ponds, reviving traditional water bodies, and promoting water stewardship in their communities. This collective effort is helping ensure clean and sufficient water in rural areas. Chief Minister Sai also informed the Prime Minister about the Nalanda Campus -- India's first 24x7 hybrid public library. Built at a cost of Rs 18 crore, the campus includes an e-library, youth tower, health zone, and solar-powered infrastructure. Over 11,000 students have benefited so far, with more than 300 successfully clearing UPSC and CGPSC exams. He also shared details about the Prayas model, which provides free coaching to underprivileged and tribal students for national-level exams such as IIT-JEE, NEET, and CLAT. So far, 1,508 students from this initiative have secured admission in prestigious institutions across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the Chief Minister's efforts and assured full support from the Central Government for Chhattisgarh's development journey. (ANI)
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Time of India
Revolution on wheels: Bijapur Express drives hope through Red corridor
Raipur: In the heart of Bastar, a region once synonymous with insurgency and isolation, a quiet revolution is rolling on four wheels. Bijapur district, tucked between the borders of Maharashtra and Telangana, the region has often seemed beyond the reach of modern India — physically, economically, and socially. But that story is beginning to change. And its unlikely hero is a humble community-run bus, 'The Bijapur Express', born under state's Niyad Nellanar scheme. It is not just ferrying people, it's also carrying a sense of belonging. The bus service connects the district headquarters to block-level offices and as many as 33 far-flung villages, threading together the fragments of an otherwise disjointed landscape. Around 1,020 passengers use the service daily. They are not just numbers, but students clutching notebooks, mothers with toddlers, farmers with sacks of produce, and elders with hope in their eyes. For generations, access to basic services in interior villages of Bijapur district meant arduous treks through forested paths and uncertain waits for the occasional transport vehicle. Reaching a hospital, a school, a market or even simply the district headquarters was a logistical challenge, compounded by fear and remoteness, with a lot of time consumption. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Dodge Ram 1500 Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) SocialGazette Undo "I remember walking for hours just to get my child to the nearest health center," says Savita, a mother from a village that now lies on the Bijapur Express route. "Now we catch the morning bus, see the doctor, and return by evening." "What we're seeing here is not just transportation, but transformation," said Bijapur collector Sambit Mishra. "When people are able to move, they are able to access rights, services, and opportunities. That's empowerment," the collector added. He said, Bijapur Express is quietly challenging the dominant narrative about this region. Once described solely in terms of conflict and backwardness, Bijapur is scripting a new identity rooted in resilience and progress. And the change isn't just practical — it's deeply emotional. Children from remote hamlets now reach their schools more easily. Women attend markets, community meetings, and health camps with greater confidence. Even govt services, once considered distant and difficult to reach, feel closer and more accessible. It's easy to overlook a bus. They are everywhere, anonymous and unremarkable. But in Bijapur, the Bijapur Express is more than just a ride. WHEELS OF TRANSFORMATION Benefited Niyad Nellanar village Operated from where to where (to and from) Average daily pessengers Bechapal,Timmenar,Etepal,Hurrrepal Bechapal To Bijapur 200 Marudbaka,Pujarikanker,Nambi,Gunjeparti,Galgam,Nadpalli,Puttapalli,Kasturpadh Pujarikanker to Bijapur 180 Peddakodepal, Chipurbhatti, Pokela, Murkipada, Putkel, Chilkapalli and Puskonta,Tarrem,Outpalli,Korsaguda,Biraguda, Chinnagellur Silger To Bijapur 220 - Bedre To Bijapur 200 - Bijapur- Bhairamgarh -Benglur 220 Hiroli, Kawadgaon,Mutvendi,Cherpal, Burji,Padeda, Mutvendi – Bijapur- Pujarikanker 200 Raipur: In the heart of Bastar, a region once synonymous with insurgency and isolation, a quiet revolution is rolling on four wheels. Bijapur district, tucked between the borders of Maharashtra and Telangana, the region has often seemed beyond the reach of modern India — physically, economically, and socially. But that story is beginning to change. And its unlikely hero is a humble community-run bus, 'The Bijapur Express', born under state's Niyad Nellanar scheme. It is not just ferrying people, it's also carrying a sense of belonging. The bus service connects the district headquarters to block-level offices and as many as 33 far-flung villages, threading together the fragments of an otherwise disjointed landscape. Around 1,020 passengers use the service daily. They are not just numbers, but students clutching notebooks, mothers with toddlers, farmers with sacks of produce, and elders with hope in their eyes. For generations, access to basic services in interior villages of Bijapur district meant arduous treks through forested paths and uncertain waits for the occasional transport vehicle. Reaching a hospital, a school, a market or even simply the district headquarters was a logistical challenge, compounded by fear and remoteness, with a lot of time consumption. "I remember walking for hours just to get my child to the nearest health center," says Savita, a mother from a village that now lies on the Bijapur Express route. "Now we catch the morning bus, see the doctor, and return by evening." "What we're seeing here is not just transportation, but transformation," said Bijapur collector Sambit Mishra. "When people are able to move, they are able to access rights, services, and opportunities. That's empowerment," the collector added. He said, Bijapur Express is quietly challenging the dominant narrative about this region. Once described solely in terms of conflict and backwardness, Bijapur is scripting a new identity rooted in resilience and progress. And the change isn't just practical — it's deeply emotional. Children from remote hamlets now reach their schools more easily. Women attend markets, community meetings, and health camps with greater confidence. Even govt services, once considered distant and difficult to reach, feel closer and more accessible. It's easy to overlook a bus. They are everywhere, anonymous and unremarkable. But in Bijapur, the Bijapur Express is more than just a ride. WHEELS OF TRANSFORMATION Benefited Niyad Nellanar village Operated from where to where (to and from) Average daily pessengers Bechapal,Timmenar,Etepal,Hurrrepal Bechapal To Bijapur 200 Marudbaka,Pujarikanker,Nambi,Gunjeparti,Galgam,Nadpalli,Puttapalli,Kasturpadh Pujarikanker to Bijapur 180 Peddakodepal, Chipurbhatti, Pokela, Murkipada, Putkel, Chilkapalli and Puskonta,Tarrem,Outpalli,Korsaguda,Biraguda, Chinnagellur Silger To Bijapur 220 - Bedre To Bijapur 200 - Bijapur- Bhairamgarh -Benglur 220 Hiroli, Kawadgaon,Mutvendi,Cherpal, Burji,Padeda, Mutvendi – Bijapur- Pujarikanker 200
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
16 maoists lay down arms, 6 had ₹25 l reward on their heads
Sixteen Maoists, including six carrying a collective cash reward of Rs 25 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday, police said. Nine of them belonged to the Kerlapenda village panchayat under Chintalanar police station limits. With the surrender, the village has become Maoist-free, making it eligible for development projects of Rs 1 crore as per a new scheme of the state government, an official said. All 16 cadres, including a woman, turned themselves in before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force officials, citing disappointment with the "hollow" and "inhuman" Maoist ideology and atrocities by ultras on local tribals, said Sukma's superintendent of police Kiran Chavan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo The cadres were also impressed by the Chhattisgarh government's 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme, aimed at facilitating development works in remote villages, and the state's new surrender and rehabilitation policy, he said. Among those who surrendered, Rita alias Dodi Sukki (36), a woman who was active as member of the central regional committee company number 2 of Maoists, and Rahul Punem (18), a party member within PLGA battalion no. 1 of Maoists, carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, Chavan said. Besides, Lekam Lakhma (28) carried a bounty of Rs 3 lakh, while three other more cadres carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh each, he said. Live Events With Kerlapenda village becoming Maoist-free, it will be provided an incentive of Rs 1 crore for development works under the Elvad Panchayat Yojna of the state government, he said. The scheme has been introduced under the new Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy-2025. It provides for a sanction of development works of Rs 1 crore for those village panchayats which facilitate the surrender of Maoists active in their area and to pass a resolution declaring them as Maoist-free.
