Tricolour To Fly For First Time In 35+ Former Naxal Villages In MP On Independence Day 2026

For the first time in more than 35 villages across Balaghat and Mandla districts in Madhya Pradesh, the national flag will be hoisted on Independence Day 2026. These villages, previously under the grip of Left Wing Extremists, had never celebrated the national festival due to fear of violent reprisals by Naxals.

All three formerly affected districts—Balaghat, Mandla, and Dindori—have now been declared free from Left Wing Extremism. A total of 644 villages across these districts were previously impacted by LWE activities. The administration credits robust security policies, continuous police domination, and efforts to restore public trust for this transformation.

Special patriotic programs and a Tiranga Yatra will be organized from August 13-14, 2026, in these remote areas as part of the Naxal-free India Campaign, allowing residents to celebrate freedom from both colonial and extremist rule.