Hyderabad: With Union home minister Amit Shah declaring in Parliament that India is now free of Naxalism following three years of sustained anti-Maoist operations, Telangana has intensified efforts to consolidate these gains along its sensitive border with Chhattisgarh.In a significant shift from security-focused operations to development-driven outreach, senior police and forest officials on Tuesday visited Mulugu district, once a Maoist stronghold. DGP B Shivadhar Reddy, accompanied by top officials including Greyhounds chief Anil Kumar, travelled to Pamunuru village in the remote Karregutta hills. During the visit, they inaugurated a new police outpost in an area that until recently functioned as a key Maoist hub.Reaffirming that Telangana is now free from Naxalism, the DGP emphasised that the focus has transitioned towards delivering development in tribal regions that remained isolated for decades due to insurgent activity. The visit reflected a broader strategy: securing the region while integrating it with mainstream infrastructure and essential services.As part of this initiative, officials also inaugurated a newly constructed road on the Telangana side of the Karregutta hills. Of the proposed 30-km stretch, 12 km of a temporary soil road has been completed. The DGP noted that the road could eventually be upgraded into a permanent bitumen-topped surface, adding that improved connectivity would help local communities engage more easily with the outside world.The road is expected to significantly ease transportation, reduce travel time, and eliminate the need for long detours, according to police officers. Senior officers also conducted a tour of the forested region, highlighting its untapped potential. With scenic landscapes and waterfalls, authorities believe the area holds promise for tourism, which could generate sustainable livelihoods for local tribal communities.In an effort to build trust, officials distributed essential supplies and extended livelihood support to villagers, including a motorcycle and an autorickshaw. Principal chief conservator of forests C Suvarna described the visit as significant, noting that despite the dense forest cover, she had never previously visited the area.Authorities stressed that all development activities would adhere strictly to existing forest protection laws. The Karregutta hills span Telangana and neighbouring Chhattisgarh, with a larger portion lying across the state border.Meanwhile, police confirmed that pressure mines previously planted by Maoists on the Telangana side of the hills have been neutralised, paving the way for safer movement and further infrastructure development.
