Two new security & civic camps established in Naxal-hit Bijapur

Raipur: Two new security and public service camps have been set up under the flagship ‘Niyad Nella Nar' initiative of the Chhattisgarh government. The move aligns with the state's continued efforts towards bringing the former Naxal stronghold into the ambit of governance and public service. A new camp was set up on Oct 25 in Kandalaparti-2 in Bhopalpatnam followed by another on October 27 at Pillur village of Farsegarh in the insurgency-scarred Bijapur district. The initiative is aimed at ensuring both a security presence while providing essential civic services in regions long deprived of basic infrastructure due to Naxal violence, police said. Braving the vagaries of weather and the challenge of an unforgiving terrain, CRPF, CoBRA personnel, along with district police, successfully completed the establishment of both camps, an official said, adding, "This is not just about setting up camps but reaching out to the people with trust, safety, and development." The camps lie along a crucial interstate corridor linking Bhopalpatnam, Farsegarh, Sendra (Maharashtra), and Gadchiroli, a region that has long served as a Maoist transit zone. Authorities said the new camps will help open up routes connecting villages located near the Indravati National Park area with road and public infrastructure. The state hopes to curb interstate Maoist movements while also boosting coordination between CG and Maharashtra.Since 2024, Bijapur has witnessed a major turnaround from the dark days of Naxal insurgency, with 21 new security camps coming up across the district. As per official figures, 599 Maoists have surrendered till date, with another 196 neutralised in security operations and encounters, and 986 arrested in coordinated operations.