For the last four decades, the Naxals Hidma and Deka terrorized the people in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, near the border with Malkangiri district. They spread fear and controlled the local areas, keeping the residents in constant terror.
Recently, with the support of the army, displaced villagers returned to Bijapur and demolished Hidma’s house in Puruti village. Hidma had forced many villagers to flee by threatening them regularly. However, after security forces secured the village and its surrounding areas, the villagers returned to their homes.
Hidma has not returned to Puruti village since the security forces established their camp. He is reportedly hiding in the forest. Meanwhile, his mother, who used to live in the house, has also disappeared, and the villagers no longer recognize her.
The villagers, emboldened by the army’s presence, took matters into their own hands and tore down Hidma’s mud house in Puruti village, venting their long-standing anger and frustration.
Similarly, the villagers demolished the house of Deka, another notorious Naxal commander. Deka’s house, located nearby, was also destroyed as part of the villagers’ actions to reclaim their community.