And then there were seven in the silent hills
After decades of being caught between Maoists and the police, the seven families still living in Telangana’s Karreguttalu Hills are discovering life beyond fear. Once a formidable Maoist stronghold on the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border, the hills are now opening up with roads, security infrastructure and the promise of electricity and development. But return of the State’s writ also raises…
Madvi Kamini has long listened to the quiet of the Karreguttalu Hills, where the dense forest concealed Maoist fighters, security forces, and landmines. The villagers lived in fear of being targeted by either side. Maoists, called "annalu" by the locals, warned residents to stay away from the police, promising protection in exchange for secrecy.
Kamini, a mother of three, now watches as seven houses with flags fly proudly in the village, marking a significant change. The transformation began with the construction of a 33.5-km road, built after nearly six months of work that required defusing over 200 landmines and manholes used by the Maoists. The CRPF and police have opened the area, providing the villagers with electricity and a connection to the outside world.
Once a Maoist stronghold on the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border, the Karreguttalu Hills are now a safer place for the Muria community, an indigenous tribe from Chhattisgarh. The area has seen a shift from conflict to cooperation, with the police now claiming dominance over the once-inaccessible terrain.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
