Only Bus resumes services in Sukma region after 12 years
What's the story
People residing in India's Maoist heartland are plagued by connectivity issues. Providing great relief to the people of Chhattisgarh, the government has resumed a bus service between Dornapal and Jagargonda after a gap of 12 years. Cutting through the Maoist heartland, this is one of the most dangerous roads in India. Let's see what a journey through Maoist heartland feels like.
Information
About the bus
The bus is privately run by Gupta travels under state patronage. Having resumed services on May 3, the bus leaves Jagargonda at 6 am and commences its return journey from Dornapal at 3 pm.
About
The Jagargonda-Dornapal bus route
Plying on a 56-km route located in the south Sukma region, it passes by 13 CRPF camps and is closely watched by the security forces, like the Samjhauta express, the bi-weekly train between India and Pakistan. The recent attacks which killed 25 CRPF personnel occurred along the same route, with 18 IED explosions in the past three years.
Information
For the passengers
The passengers feel relieved at the resumption of the bus service. The travelers are required to carry their Aadhaar cards and go through security frisking at multiple locations. While they feel threatened, they are comforted by the fact the bus hasn't been attacked till date.
Analysis
The larger picture
Although the bus service has reinstated the region's lifeline, it does not entirely solve the region's connectivity issues. The bus further carries out its journey under great risks to civilians' lives, every single day. However, security forces opine that improved connectivity could help free the people from Maoist clutches. It could help accrue actionable human intelligence, enabling the forces to act against Maoist movements.