‘Vartalap’: Development push in remote, erstwhile LWE-affected areas highlighted

Superintendent of Police (Intelligence) Ch. Sindhu Sharma highlighted the focus on accelerating development in remote and erstwhile Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas through strengthened welfare activities and improved access to basic facilities.

She was speaking at a media workshop, ‘Vartalap’ on the theme ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat’ in Kothagudem of Bhadradri Kothagudem district on Friday, according to a press release.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Hyderabad, in coordination with the District Police and the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), Telangana.

Ms. Sindhu Sharma spoke about strategies adopted to combat LWE, the sacrifices made by police personnel and measures taken to rehabilitate surrendered CPI (Maoist) cadres.

Bhadradri Kothagudem Superintendent of Police B. Rohith Raju outlined the efforts made by the district police in tackling LWE and highlighted development initiatives in remote areas, including mobile medical services, medical camps, road connectivity, solar lighting and basic infrastructure.

District police officials said 918 Maoists had surrendered in Bhadradri Kothagudem district between 2014 and 2026.

They also explained the government’s rehabilitation measures to facilitate the reintegration of surrendered cadres into society.

Some surrendered cadres shared their experiences of taking up self-employment activities with government support.