IT is for the first time after Independence, when the tricolour was hoisted at Chandameta camp and other Naxal-infested areas under Darbha police station limits. A 75-year-old man hoisted the tricolour.

It is worth mentioning here that since the independence in the year 1947,the residents of Chandameta and other areas under Darbha have seen only black flags of the ultras. It took 75 years for independence to reach these villages.

Chandameta village shares border with Chhattisgarh and Odisha, where a 75-year-old resident of Patelpara Muda Kawasi hoisted the flag in Chandameta camp in the presence of Darbha SHO Shishupal Sinha, DRG in-charge Khomraj Thakur, CRPF Assistant Commandant Raju Bagh, SI Ravi Baiga, police and CRPF personnel.

Darbha SHO Sinha said that many villages including Chandameta have been under clutches of Naxalites, so far. Naxalites used to train their new cadres in the area, also called as capital of Naxalites. With the passage of time, the government-administration and police personnel continuously targeted their top leaders and gradually, Naxalites left Darbha due to fear. Earlier, villagers used to be in fear due to Naxalites but now the area is safe for people. For the first time in 75 years, the villagers celebrated the Independence Day here for the first time without any fear.

In Adalpara, situated 50-kilometers away from Darbha, a 65-year-old man Madkami Singa hoisted National Flag and raised slogans of Bharat Mata. Madkami said that till now only black flags of Naxalites were seen every year in this area, but for the first time, got the privilege of hoisting the Tricolor.

It is worth mentioning here that Darbha, considered to be the stronghold of Naxalites, is now completely free from their clutches and this time, National Flag in was hoisted in camp. Apart from Chandameta, Naxal areas where till today only black flags of Naxalites were hoisted, today the Tricolor of the country was hoisted.

Villagers took out a rally and celebrated the occasion with great pomp.