Area cleared of Maoists, electricity reaches this Chhattisgarh village for the first time

Located in Bijapur district, Chhutwahi village is around 50 km from Bijapur headquarters. Two months ago, a security camp was set up there after security forces conducted anti-Naxal operations and encounters to clear the area of Maoists.

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“Apart from electricity under the Niyad Nellanar scheme, we are providing them with water supply under the Jal Jeevan Mission, mobile tower, school, anganwadis, and the public distribution system,” Mishra said.

A remote Chhattisgarh village that was, until a year ago, not accessible by road and was under the control of the Maoists, on Thursday received electricity connectivity for the first time.

Located in Bijapur district, Chhutwahi village is around 50 km from Bijapur headquarters. Two months ago, a security camp was set up there after security forces conducted anti-Naxal operations and encounters to clear the area of Maoists.

Chhutwahi village was inaccessible until a year ago

Bijapur collector Sambit Mishra said, “We have been able to provide electricity to the villagers for the first time since Independence as we are getting access to these areas because new security camps are coming in Bijapur. Our top priority is to provide basic amenities as soon as new security camps open and we get access to villages. By next year, we will try to provide them with road connectivity.”

According to an official, more than 100 other villages in Bijapur still don’t have electricity connection. As security forces move forward and free the villages of Maoists, the administration will be able to provide residents with electricity and other benefits under central and state government schemes, the official said.

This year, security forces in Chhattisgarh killed 210 Maoists – the highest casualty suffered by Maoists in a year since the state’s formation. During the same period, 17 security personnel and 62 civilians have been killed in Maoist violence in the state’s Bastar region, which comprises seven districts including Bijapur.

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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