Chhattisgarh Marks 77th Republic Day With Goal To Be Naxal-Free In 2026

On this Special Report, India Today correspondent Sumi Rajappan reports on Chhattisgarh celebrating the 77th Republic Day with significant milestones in the Bastar region. The state is observing this occasion with patriotic fervor as 47 remote villages, previously cut off from democratic festivals, unfurl the national flag for the first time in history. Sumi Rajappan notes that this year is particularly significant because 'this is exactly the year in which Chhattisgarh will finally be Naxal free' as per the deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hoisted the tricolour at the police parade ground in Bilaspur, where he reaffirmed the state's commitment to a Naxal-free future. The report highlights the increase in police camps and anti-Naxal operations across remote areas, signaling a stronger comeback for democracy in the tribal heartland. The programme explores the festive atmosphere and the strategic security shifts currently transforming the landscape of Chhattisgarh.