From Jan Adalat to Police Chaupal: Chhattisgarh Police holds outreach programme in once Naxal-stronghold Arlampalli village

Once where the Naxalites' parallel "people's courts" (Jan Adalat) used to be held, the Chhattisgarh Police hosted a peaceful Police Chaupal. The community gathering focused on essential village development, discussing children's education, roads, bridges, clean water, electricity, and mobile network connectivity.

Reaching Arlampalli, due to the lack of a bridge. The path being blocked by a flooded monsoon stream forced the security teams to use a tractor to navigate the currents.

Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Mayank Gurjar said that the police administration wants to fill the trust gap between the people and the police and lead the ground-level development.

The police officer told ANI, "Several villagers have died in Naxalite attacks. One Naxal cadre was recruited from every household under duress. This village has had a history of Naxalism. With this initiative, the police are trying to fill the trust gap between the people and the police and bring together security, trust, and development. Additionally, we want to understand people's development needs and check for any suspicious activity. There used to be a Jan Adalat in the village, and those who spoke against them (the Naxalites) were killed or harassed. Today, people are discussing education and development here."

ASP (Naxal Operations) Sukma Rohit Shah recalled that once Naxal commander Mangadu dreaded the villagers of terror; however, recently the area was declared Naxal-free. He added that under the 'Niva Duvad Te' campaign, the police visit remote villages and address public issues.

ASP Shah said, "Arlampalli village was one of the most heavily affected by Naxalite terror in the region. A large number of dacoits and cadres came from here. The Konta Area Committee's military wing commander Mangadu was once a dreaded terror in this area. Today, we've arrived in this village to witness a changed landscape at the Naxal-free campus, where many villagers have gathered. We, under the Sukma Police 'Niva Duvad Te' campaign, in which we visit remote villages and address public issues, whether they have road shortages, culverts, electricity, network, or other health and education issues. We, through the police, build bridges and communicate these issues to the relevant departments."

Under the initiative, the public is also taught about safety measures, including cyber-safety.

"We've gathered here as part of that initiative. Civic action was also taken here, distributing essential items to the villagers and raising awareness about cyberspace. They were also told how to keep themselves safe. This was our effort. In the coming days, we will visit many villages and try to connect with people through Niva Duvad Te," he said.

Former Sarpanch Sodhi Handa said that when he was in the 12th grade, the Naxalites broke both his hands because they feared he would rise against them after becoming educated.

Sodhi Handa said, "The reason for breaking my hands is that I was studying in the 12th class at school. They thought if I continued further, I would know their laws and create hurdles against them, and their party would not progress by doing this. In 1990, they broke both my hands while I was a 12th-class student."

Recalling the incident, he added, "At night, we had a public awareness campaign in Kistaram; the late Mahendra Karma had started it, and we were supporting it. I was a 12th-grade student, but because of them, I have not been able to study until now, but I am still alive."

The former Sarpanch said that the village school was saved from demolition as people resisted it.

"The Arlampalli school is a very old school; people came to demolish it, and we, the villagers, did not allow it to be demolished. The school is still there, and the Panchayat Bhawan is also there. They came to demolish it, but because of our persistence, the people stood strong and did not allow it to be demolished. Now our police department has started visiting here, and because of them, it gives us some confidence," he said.

Meanwhile, SP Mayank Gurjar has appealed to the Sukma residents to join a cyber awareness campaign from August 15 to October 2, which aims to make the state's residents aware and safe against cybercrime. (ANI)