In the most wanted Maoist commander’s village, a wedding tells the story of a changed landscape

For years, the name of Puverti village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district evoked dread. It is the native village of Madvi Hidma, the commander of the Battalion 1 of the PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army), the main fighting force of the CPI (Maoist). As the Maoists lose one stronghold after another, this battalion has remained their main fighting force. Old hands in Chhattisgarh police are of the opinion that when Hidma is neutralised, the Maoists will lose their fighting capability.

In the ongoing operations, while many senior leaders, including the Maoist supreme commander have died, Hidma has managed to slip away. There is suspicion that he may have slipped into Telangana.

But, in the meantime, the security forces have managed to make inroads into the area around Puverti. Last year, they managed to open a field hospital in the village. In the absence of proper medical facilities, the little medical apparatus run by central forces has proven to be a big blessing. It also helps reduce the gap between Adivasis and security forces.

In Puverti, this week, this gap was further reduced after soldiers from the CRPF’s 150^th battalion took part in a local marriage. A newly-wed bride was escorted to the camp by villagers who wanted the soldiers to participate in the wedding. As her friends danced in the traditional way, armed soldiers took break from their duty and danced along. They also gave her gifts.

Not long ago, this was an area where Adivasis would leave household articles gifted to them by the CRPF on the periphery of the village. “It is a welcome, welcome, change,” said a CRPF officer posted in Sukma.

The security forces have decided to continue operations in the Maoist areas even in monsoons after Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged them to. Normally, earlier, operations in heavy rains would be halted. Pictures released on June 25 show soldiers taking part in drills amidst rain to portray their readiness in anti-Maoist operations.

HidmaMaoistNaxalsOperation KagarSukma