From guns to Rakhis: Surrendered Maoist women celebrate Raksha Bandhan with police

Surrendered female Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur celebrated Raksha Bandhan with DRG personnel, tying Rakhis on police officers’ wrists. The emotional ceremony highlighted reconciliation, trust and belonging, reflecting Bastar’s transformation as former insurgents leave violence behind and return to mainstream society

Narayanpur: Affection and trust overflowed at the District Reserve Guard (DRG) campus, where Raksha Sutras were adorned on the wrists of the Superintendent of Police, Additional Superintendents of Police, and other officers.

Once known for the dreaded Naxals, this area of Chhattisgarh witnessed the holy festival of Raksha Bandhan, conveying a message of peace, trust, and a changing Bastar. Raksha Bandhan, the sacred festival of love, trust, and a pledge of security between brothers and sisters, was celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in an intimate and emotional atmosphere at the Narayanpur Police DRG campus.

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On this special occasion, surrendered female Maoists, who have renounced the path of violence and Naxalism to join the mainstream of society, tied Rakhis on the wrists of DRG soldiers, giving a new and emotional dimension to the sacred bond of brother and sister.

This sacred bond of Rakhi not only adorned the wrists of the soldiers but also strengthened the bond of trust, security, and belonging, presenting a new picture of a changing Bastar. These sisters, who once lived under the shadow of guns and violence, today celebrated a festival of love, respect, and trust with the police family.

During the programme, the surrendered female Naxalites also expressed their love and trust by tying Rakhis on the wrists of Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Patel, Additional Superintendents of Police Akshay Sabdra, Ajay Kumar, and Aishwarya Chandrakar, Deputy Superintendents of Police Ajay Singh, Avinash Kanwar, Manoj Mandavi, and Ashish Netam, Reserve Inspector Mohsin Khan, and Station House Officer Narayanpur Vineet Dubey.

On this occasion, Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar Patel, along with all the officers and soldiers present, wished the sisters a happy Raksha Bandhan and extended his wishes for a safe, respectful, and bright future. A cordial communication and affinity were witnessed between the police family and the surrendered female Naxalites. Superintendent of Police Patel said that Raksha Bandhan is not just a festival, but a symbol of trust, respect, and a pledge of security.

It is our collective responsibility to provide respect and belonging to those who have returned to mainstream society and to instil new hope in their lives, he said. He added that Narayanpur Police is continuously working to strengthen the environment of trust and brotherhood in society, along with ensuring security.