For an ordinary person, it is a very strenuous journey. For the villagers, it is a matter of curiosity. For the security forces, it is a matter of guarding people in remote and densely forested area along the sensitive Chhattisgarh border. For the labourers employed by contractors concerned, setting it up is a matter of challenge. But, for all of them combined, it is a matter of pride. This is the sentiment aroused by the inauguration of a new police station in sensitive areas of the Maoist-affected Gadchiroli, which is the easternmost district of Maharashtra. Especially in the past some months, Gadchiroli Police have been on a spree to set up police stations or police assistance centres in remotest possible areas, to demolish the domination of the Red terrorists. The opening of Nelgunda police station recently was a part of this plan of expanding police presence towards Chhattisgarh border. As many as 1,000 C-60 commandos, 25 teams of bomb detection and disposal squad, newly appointed police personnel, 500 special police officers, and private contractors worked day and night to ensure that the police station was set up in the area deep in the jungles, closer to river Indravati that marks the boundary between Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

 

‘The Hitavada’ travelled along the route to witness the historic ceremony of opening of Nelgunda police station. After leaving tar road at Dhodraj and taking a turn on to a muddy uneven road, one could reach Nelgunda. On the way, one came across Pengunda police station, which was inaugurated on December 11, 2024 at the hands of Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

 

One could see porta cabins being carried to Nelgunda on big trucks. The area had not seen movement of cargo this big, and hence overhead electric wires had to be pushed up with the help of long sticks to ensure safe passage for the big trucks carrying cabins. Since the ceremony was to be held in an area that was dominated by the Maoists, and to be attended by the top-ranking police officers, several C-60 commandos resorted to ‘road opening’ procedure to ensure that the area was safe for travel. At the site of Nelgunda police station, a telecommunication tower was erected and guarded by an armed policeman. Several mine-protected vehicles had lined up outside the ‘Macwall’ compound inside which were the policemen who would man the police station operating initially from porta cabins and a tent.

 

After the programme and before the light faded, policemen deployed at the site busied themselves with filling earth in specially made big sacks placed in iron mesh to form ‘Macwall’ through which no bullet could penetrate. On four corners of the compound, watch towers were erected, again protected by Macwall. Floodlights were lit to illuminate the area around the police station. Some were busy taking stock of the ration. Over the next few days, Nelgunda police station would be set up fully. The initial Macwall would be gradually replaced with cement-concrete wall. Well-equipped porta cabins would be gradually replaced with pucca structures housing station’s office block, living arrangement, toilets etc. And, this is not the case of Nelgunda alone. “So far, we have opened seven police station using Macwall technique initially. In fact, Gadchiroli Police have gained expertise in setting up a police station in the shortest possible time-frame of 24 hours,” Neelotpal, Superintendent of Police, told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

According to him, these seven police stations include Manne Rajaram, Pipli Burgi, Wangeturi, Gardewada, Pengunda, Nelgunda, and Surjagad. All these are located in the deep forests and in areas known for presence of the armed Left Wing Extremists. Some more such police stations are proposed to come up in next some time. According to Sandip Patil, Special Inspector General of Police, Anti-Naxalite Operations, setting up police stations in these remote areas dealt a heavy blow to the Maoists. “This is part of carpet security plan, one can say. Nelgunda was considered a bastion of the Jan Militia of CPI (Maoist). Some of the Maoists from this area have surrendered and some have been arrested. Now, with police station coming up here, police domination of the area will increase. Our actions are in line with the Central Government’s plan to end armed Maoism by March 2026,” he said. Meanwhile, in the adjoining Chhattisgarh also, concerted action is being taken against the Maoists. As a result of the aggressive posture adopted by the police in Maharashtra as well as Chhattisgarh, pressure is growing on the Maoists to abandon their long-held bastion of Abujhmad. Already, a Central Committee member who tried to move to Odisha border, was eliminated in an encounter. Several top cadres including Tarakka and Giridhar with his wife have surrendered before Gadchiroli Police.

 

According to sources in the police, the number of Dalams of CPI (Maoist) in Gadchiroli district have come down from 15 to only three. Total 12 Dalams of the Red terrorists have been eliminated completely, and only Bhamragarh, Gatta, and Aheri Dalams are active, that too, with decimated strength. As per one estimate, only 46 armed Maoists remain in Gadchiroli district. North Gadchiroli has got rid of Maoists. Hence, they are trying to execute some sporadic action to make their presence felt, but they are under immense pressure due to intense police patrolling. The opening of new police stations or outposts is proving to be beneficial for the local people too, as they act as centres of ‘government at doorstep’.

 

Through these stations and posts, police extend to villagers all help in getting various official documents. The outreach initiatives like ‘Dadalora Khidki’, ‘Janjagaran Melawas’ (awareness meets), are yielding positive results. Some day, a police commando remarked in passing, when a police station opens in Binagunda, which was considered a stronghold of Naxalites/Maoists for years, it will be a red letter day for Gadchiroli district as far as fighting the Maoists is concerned. And, he disappeared in the forest on patrolling duty.