Sukma's Badesetti Becomes Chhattisgarh's First Naxal-Free Village

The transformation is being attributed to a coordinated push by the Centre and the state, combining intensified security operations with focused development, rehabilitation, and welfare measures. Under the Ilwad Panchayat scheme, the Vishnu Deo Sai-led Chhattisgarh government has announced a special development package of Rs 1 crore for every village declared completely free of Naxalite influence. Badesetti is the first beneficiary of the scheme.

Following its declaration as Naxal-free, Badesetti received Rs 1 crore for development works aimed at strengthening basic infrastructure, including roads, drinking water, electricity, healthcare, and education facilities. Officials say the initiative has helped rebuild trust between villagers and the administration in an area once considered inaccessible.

Bastar Inspector General of Police P. Sundarraj said the Ilwad Panchayat scheme is designed to ensure that villages liberated from Naxalite influence rapidly witness visible development. "Under this scheme, gram panchayats that become Naxal-free are sanctioned Rs 1 crore to provide essential facilities such as electricity, ration shops, schools, hospitals, and healthcare services. Badesetti in Sukma district is the first Ilwad Panchayat in the state, and development work there is progressing steadily. It will serve as a model and inspire other villages," he said.

Sukma District Panchayat CEO Mukund Thakur termed the declaration of Badesetti as Naxal-free a historic moment for the district and the state. He said the administration has ensured the saturation of government schemes in the village, including housing schemes, Swachh Bharat Mission, self-help groups, caste certificates, and NREGA job cards. "In several schemes, more than 80 per cent of the eligible population has already been covered. Our goal is to develop Badesetti as a model panchayat with new panchayat buildings, bridges, culverts, Anganwadi centres, and other infrastructure," Thakur said.

Highlighting broader social change, Thakur added that public participation in activities such as the Bastar Olympics has seen a sharp rise. "Last year, around 10,000 people from Sukma participated; this year, the number rose to 40,000. Even surrendered Naxalites took part, reflecting a positive shift in mindset," he said, noting that development work is being fast-tracked in line with timelines set by the Union Home Ministry.

At the village level, the impact is visible. Punem Sukka, Secretary of the Badesetti Gram Panchayat, recalled that when he joined in 2021, movement was severely restricted and fear was pervasive. "Even motorcycles could not run here, and outsiders were viewed with suspicion. Now the situation has completely changed," he said.

According to Sukka, the village received Rs 70 lakh under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Development Scheme and Rs 30 lakh from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). "Concrete roads are being built, an Anganwadi centre and a market shed are under construction, and work on the government school and hostel is underway. The atmosphere is peaceful, and villagers are happy," he said, adding that residents credit both the central and state governments for the transformation.

With Badesetti emerging as Chhattisgarh's first Naxal-free village, officials say the focus is now on replicating this model across other affected areas, signalling a decisive shift from conflict to confidence, and from fear to development in the heart of the former Red Corridor.

- ANI