Telangana DGP visits Karregutta as peace returns to Maoist stronghold after 50 years
Hyderabad, Aug 10 (IANS) Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand on Monday visited Karregutta, once regarded as a major Maoist stronghold along the Telangana–Chhattisgarh–Odisha border, and hoisted the National Flag.
The DGP inspected the ongoing road construction works in the remote forest area. As a symbol of peace, he also released white doves, marking what officials described as the transformation of a region once affected by Left Wing Extremism.
He said after 50 years, the region, now brought under peaceful conditions, would be developed with tourism and basic infrastructure.
Senior officials from the Police, CRPF, Forest, Revenue and other government departments jointly visited the area, signalling the administration’s focus on development following the decline of Maoist activity.
Addressing the media, DGP Anand said coordinated operations by the Telangana Police, Greyhounds, Special Police Forces, CRPF, CoBRA units and Chhattisgarh Police had significantly weakened Maoist activities in the region.
He said nearly 700 Maoists had surrendered during Operation Kagar, while several top leaders were killed in encounters and others had returned to the mainstream. Only a handful of Central Committee leaders remain active across the country, he added.
The DGP said the State Government was implementing rehabilitation measures for surrendered Maoists, including financial assistance, land allotment and livelihood opportunities, while ensuring continuous monitoring to facilitate their reintegration into society.
Stating that Karregutta has considerable tourism potential, Anand said the government intends to develop the area in accordance with environmental and legal norms.
The tar road work from Pamuru to Chalamadava has been completed and works to lay the BT road will be taken up shortly.
With this, road connectivity is being improved, and blacktopping will be taken up shortly. Facilities such as electricity, mobile connectivity and other basic infrastructure will also be created to promote tourism.
During the visit, the DGP distributed essential commodities to Gutti Koya families residing near the Pamuru camp and assured them of continued government support.
Anand also commended the services of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), noting that its personnel have been working alongside State police forces for decades in anti-Maoist operations.
He said CRPF 196 battalion personnel continue to serve in difficult terrain for months together, away from their families, and their commitment and professionalism have played a vital role in restoring peace in the region.
Additional DGP Sanjay Jain, IG Chandra Shekhar Reddy, Intelligence IG Karthikeya, SIB SP Sindhu Sharma, Mulugu Collector Borkade Hemanth Sahadeorao, Mulugu SP Sudhir Ramnath Kekan, District Forest Officer Vikas Meena, CRPF officers and officials from the Revenue, Tourism and other departments were present.
–IANS
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