https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

In Bastar, the Hotbed of Naxalism, this Officer is bringing Winds of Change

The women impacted by naxalism in the Bastar district in Chhattisgarh are on their way getting back their confidence, with the help of the Inspector General of Police Sundarraj Pattilingam. In fact, he has taken several measures to assist the people of the region.
Indian Masterminds Stories

For decades now, the Bastar district in Chhattisgarh has been a Naxal affected region. The Naxalites in the region have claimed a lot of lives till now, or in other ways, have paralyzed people in such a way that they are unable to perform any acts or do any work. Naxalism is something that can’t be erased from the country overnight. The most that government could do is to provide relief to the victims in a way that might ease their lives a bit- and IPS officer of the 2003 batch posted here, Mr. Sundarraj Pattilingam, did the same.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, he talks about it in detail.

Mr. Pattilingam in a ‘Bastar Tha Matta’ meeting

GOVERNMENT PROVISIONS FOR NAXAL VICTIMS

Mr. Pattilingam explained that there have been a number of civilians that have lost their lives due to communist-Maoist violence. On average, about 40-50 people have lost their lives every year for the last 10 years. The government is doing its bit in providing relief to them by giving monetary compensation.

“Five lakh rupees is provided to the families where a member is killed, 3 lakh for someone who is seriously injured, property damages are met and employment is transferred to members of the family in case of death. These are the optional provisions” he stated.

Provisions given to the families of victims

In the case where the deceased is a member of an extended/joint family, the remaining members of the family are given training so they are able to work and earn a livelihood for themselves.

LAUNCHING AN ALL-WOMEN POLICE PETROL PUMP

As part of their welfare scheme, the Bastar district has launched several police petrol pumps in the district. The government permits them to open centers and petrol pumps for police personnel wherein if a police person is injured or suffers from some disability and won’t be able to participate in groundwork, they can get employed there and fend for themselves.

Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Mr. Bhupesh Baghel inaugrated the petrol pump

Looking at this, Mr. Pattilingam made up his mind to give a chance at life to the poor victims of Naxal violence. Beginning from the Narayanpur district, he decided to help Naxal violence-affected girls by opening a petrol pump that is 100% women operated.

“Two of our personnel will do the managerial work and the civilians will be engaged in other activities of the petrol pump. This initiative was launched last week and we have received support from the Chief Minister as well” he told Indian Masterminds.

Chief Minister with the staff

‘BASTAR THA MATTA’ CAMPAIGN

Mr. Pattilingam launched the ‘Bastar Tha Matta’ campaign which is a counter-propaganda campaign aiming to expose the real and ugly face of Maoist cadres. Under the campaign, they take general awareness issues and showcase them in a raw manner to the civilians to counter the false and fabricated image presented by the Maoists.

Mr. Pattilingam with the choupal

“Bastar Tha Matta is like the voice of Bastar through which we want to give away true information to the civilians, which is otherwise presented to them in a twisted and untrue way. The campaign made the people recognize the various schemes that were profitable and also made them understand that the work being done by the government was for their help and benefit. We use local languages of the tribal people like Gondi and Halbi so that they are able to understand it in a better way” said Mr. Pattilingam.

MALARIA MUKT BASTAR

The Health Department’s initiative – Malaria Mukt Bastar – to fight Malaria in the district was another initiative looked after by Mr. Pattilingam.

“Malaria is correlated with malnutrition and malnourished people are more vulnerable to various diseases. Therefore, in order to keep a check on them, there is an integrated team to handle the situation.”

Locals were screened and treated for malaria

Government officials walked miles across the hills and crossed rivers to access remote villages, identified the tested patients and treated them to improve their health. The campaign was a huge success and brought the Annual Parasite Incidence (API – Malaria) down to 1.97 from 16.80.

Thanks to Mr. Pattilingam that Bastar district is now on it’s way to development.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Delhi Govt Transfers Joint CP Security to ACB, Telangana’s NP Reddy Appointed DIG in CISF
Delhi Police Transfers
Delhi Govt Reshuffles 11 IPS & DANIPS Officers Across Key Police Divisions; Rajesh Khurana Posted as Spl. CP (MD), DPHCL
Maharashtra govt-logo
Maharashtra: 12 State Civil Services Officers Promoted to IAS Cadre from 2024 Select List - Check Order & Details Here
President Droupadi Murmu resized
President Droupadi Murmu Appoints New Governors for Goa, Haryana, and Ladakh - Check Details Here
IPS Officer Indian Police Services
Centre Files Review Petition Against Supreme Court Ruling on IPS Deputation to CAPFs - Details Inside
Mohan Yadav CM MP
Madhya Pradesh Semiconductor Policy Spurs Rs 352 Crore Investment in Bhopal
ODOP-AWARDS-14-10-2023
Madhya Pradesh Clinches 2nd Place in National ODOP Award 2024; CM Mohan Yadav Extends Congratulations
Mohan Yadav textile investment Dubai
MP CM Dr. Mohan Yadav Courts Textile Investment in Dubai, Showcases Madhya Pradesh as Emerging Global Hub
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-07 at 3.15
The Martial Artist IRS Officer Who Conquered North East India on a Cycle
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Conquered UPSC on Her Sixth Attempt
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Sushmitha and Ishwarya Ramanathan
Their Home Was Washed Away — Sushmitha & Ishwarya Built a Legacy Instead
Sushmitha and Ishwarya lost their home to the 2004 tsunami. But with books, belief, and each other, they...
Social Media
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
Kaziranga Baby Elephant
Chotu the Baby Elephant Reunited with Mother in Kaziranga: Retired IFS Officer’s Post Goes Viral
A baby elephant's emotional reunion with its mother in Kaziranga, shared by retired IFS officer Susanta...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Delhi Govt Transfers Joint CP Security to ACB, Telangana’s NP Reddy Appointed DIG in CISF
Delhi Police Transfers
Delhi Govt Reshuffles 11 IPS & DANIPS Officers Across Key Police Divisions; Rajesh Khurana Posted as Spl. CP (MD), DPHCL
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-07 at 3.15
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT