The Tricolour Yatra in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region entered its second day on Thursday, with the procession travelling through areas that were once considered strongholds of Maoist violence. The journey, which began from Narayanpur on August 12, reached Dantewada via Barsur on its first day.

After an overnight halt in Dantewada, the yatra resumed on August 13 and is travelling towards Sukma and Bijapur. Hundreds of bikers are participating in the journey under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap.

Route From Dantewada to Bijapur

The second-day route begins in Dantewada and passes through Kuakonda, Bhusarās Valley, Chingavaram, Sukma, Errabor, Manikonta, Dornapal and Polampalli.

The procession will then pass through Burkapal, Minpa-Tadmetla, Chintalnar, Jagargunda, Silger and Tekalgudembefore reaching Bijapur.

Several of these locations have previously been associated with major Maoist attacks, security operations and prolonged insurgency in Bastar. The movement of a large Tricolour procession through these areas is being presented as a symbol of the changing security environment in the region.

Tributes to Fallen Security Personnel

During the journey, participants will pay tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in Maoist attacks.

Soil will also be collected from locations where security personnel were killed in major attacks. The organisers have said the initiative is intended to preserve the memories of the martyrs and highlight their sacrifice for future generations.

Burkapal, Minpa-Tadmetla, Chintalnar, Jagargunda, Silger and Tekalgudem are among the key locations where tributes will be paid during the second leg of the journey.

Areas Once Hit by Maoist Violence

Southern Bastar was for years among the regions most affected by Maoist insurgency. Armed encounters, attacks on security forces and disruption of administrative activities were frequent in several parts of the region.

The Tricolour Yatra is now passing through these same areas with a large group of participants, highlighting the government's efforts to underline improved security and greater administrative access in Bastar.

Final Leg on August 14

The third and final day of the yatra will be held on August 14.

From Bijapur, the procession will travel through Awapalli, Usur, Galgam, Nambi and Tadpala before reaching Kurreghutta Hill.

Kurreghutta was previously regarded as an area under strong Maoist influence and is being positioned as the most significant destination of the three-day journey.

The Tricolour will be hoisted on the hill on August 14, marking the conclusion of the yatra.

Message of Changing Bastar

The journey from Narayanpur through Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur is linking several areas that have witnessed years of conflict and security challenges.

By paying tribute at sites associated with the deaths of security personnel and concluding the journey with the hoisting of the national flag at Kurreghutta, the organisers aim to highlight national unity, the sacrifices of security forces and the changing situation in Bastar.

The yatra will formally conclude on August 14 after the Tricolour is hoisted at Kurreghutta Hill.

The debate over India's long-running Maoist insurgency resurfaced on Monday after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Naxalism is "counting its last breaths" and credited the NDA government's development-driven approach for weakening the insurgency. Speaking at a media event in New Delhi, Modi sharply criticized the Congress, alleging that leaders who now frequently invoke the Constitution had remained silent when large parts of the country were grappling with Maoist violence. His remarks come amid continued political sparring over governance, internal security and development in tribal regions. The Prime Minister said the government's "Nation First" approach has combined security operations with welfare initiatives, infrastructure development and improved governance to reduce the influence of Left-Wing Extremism. The comments have once again brought national attention to a movement that was once considered India's biggest internal security challenge.

According to the Prime Minister, previous governments largely treated Naxal-affected regions as permanently backward areas, while the NDA focused on integrating them into the mainstream through roads, education, healthcare, digital connectivity and employment opportunities.

Modi did not directly name Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, but his remarks were widely seen as a reference to Gandhi's practice of carrying a copy of the Constitution during public events and political campaigns.

Focus on Development

During his address, Modi highlighted several flagship initiatives, including the Swachh Bharat Mission, Make in India and the promotion of local products. He said these programs were designed around the principle of putting national interests first.

The Prime Minister also pointed to the Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks programmes, claiming that more than 100 districts and over 500 blocks previously categorized as backward regions have witnessed measurable improvements in governance and development indicators.

Officials have frequently argued that better infrastructure and public services in tribal and remote areas have reduced the appeal of extremist groups and strengthened state presence.

Security and Governance

The Prime Minister's comments echoed earlier statements made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. During the Budget Session of Parliament in March, Shah stated that India had effectively become free from Naxal influence and reiterated the government's commitment to eliminating the remaining pockets of Left-Wing Extremism.

According to government data and security assessments, the geographical spread of Maoist activity has declined significantly over the past decade. Areas once considered strongholds of insurgent groups have seen increased security deployment alongside development projects.

However, security experts note that while violence has reduced substantially, isolated incidents and operational challenges remain in some forested regions of central India.

Background of the Naxalite Movement

The Naxalite movement began in 1967 in Naxalbari, a village in West Bengal's Darjeeling district. Over time, it expanded across several states, creating what became known as the "Red Corridor."

At its peak during the early 2000s, the insurgency affected large parts of central and eastern India and posed a significant challenge to internal security. Successive governments adopted a mix of security operations and welfare measures to address the issue.

Analysts say the current political debate reflects broader questions about how development, governance and security policies should be balanced in historically marginalized tribal regions.

As the government continues to emphasize both development and counter-insurgency measures, the future trajectory of Left-Wing Extremism remains an important issue in India's national security and governance agenda. The latest remarks by the Prime Minister are likely to keep the discussion at the center of political and policy debates in the coming months.