PM Modi Declares Naxalism Nearly Defeated as Bastar Hoists Tricolour

Long ago, in a forest area of India called Bastar, a group called Naxalites controlled villages using guns and fear.

For almost sixty years, their black flag flew instead of the Indian flag, and children were too scared to celebrate Independence Day.

This year, on India's 80th Independence Day, that changed.

The Indian flag was raised, for the first time since 1947, on a hill called Karreguttalu where the Naxalites used to rule.

India's leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the Naxalites no longer have the strength to fight.

The government built roads, schools, banks, hospitals and mobile towers so these villages could become part of India.

Many Naxalites gave up fighting, and more than 3,900 of them have surrendered since 2024.

Even a village called Minpa, where Naxalites once killed 17 soldiers, held its own happy flag-raising ceremony this year.

Village people now say they live without fear and can celebrate freely.

Children can go to school, learn new things, and dream about a bright future.