State prepares for Independence Day; security stepped up in Raipur
Raipur, Aug 14 (PTI) — Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will hoist the national flag at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur on August 15 as Chhattisgarh completes preparations for Independence Day, officials said on Friday. Security has been increased at venues across the state, including the capital, ahead of the celebrations.
The state government announced that the national tricolour will be hoisted for the first time since Independence in 92 villages of the Bastar region, once regarded as Maoist strongholds. Officials said venues across the state, including Raipur, have been readied for the August 15 ceremonies.
Where leaders will hoist the flag
According to the official release made available to the press, several senior leaders will lead flag-hoisting ceremonies at district and divisional headquarters. The arrangements outlined by the state include ceremonies led by the Assembly Speaker, Deputy Chief Ministers, and a Union Minister of State.
| Leader | Location |
|---|---|
| Vishnu Deo Sai (Chief Minister) | Police Parade Ground, Raipur |
| Raman Singh (Assembly Speaker) | Rajnandgaon district headquarters |
| Arun Sao (Deputy Chief Minister) | Durg |
| Vijay Sharma (Deputy Chief Minister) | Jagdalpur (Bastar headquarters) |
| Tokhan Sahu (Union Minister of State) | Bilaspur |
Bastar villages to witness flag-hoisting for first time
The official note said the 92 villages are spread across the three Bastar districts listed below, where the tricolour had never been unfurled since 1947. The flag-hoisting in several remote settlements of the Bastar region had already been carried out in recent years where security camps had been established nearby.
- Bijapur: 33 villages
- Sukma: 50 villages
- Narayanpur: 9 villages
Officials said these ceremonies have been possible as security infrastructure has been strengthened in the region. The state government on March 31 declared Chhattisgarh free from the Maoist menace, a step the administration cited as enabling expanded access to remote areas for civic and ceremonial activities.
Religious institutions to join celebrations, Waqf Board directs flag-hoisting
The Chhattisgarh State Waqf Board has instructed mosques, dargahs and madrasas across the state to hoist the national flag on Independence Day in line with guidelines of the Union Home Ministry. A communication from the board to mutawallis — those responsible for managing Waqf properties — asked them to celebrate the day according to prescribed norms.
“The tricolour would be hoisted at mosques, dargahs, imambaras and khanqahs across the state and the national anthem and national song would also be sung as per the guidelines,” said State Waqf Board chairman Dr Salim Raj.
The government release said ministers and MLAs will participate in Independence Day programmes at various locations across Chhattisgarh. Security arrangements were described as stepped-up but the official summary did not provide granular details on deployment numbers or the specific security measures to be taken at each venue, including in Raipur.
Raipur residents can expect the customary guard of honour at the Police Parade Ground, where the Chief Minister will receive honours from different units of security personnel, the officials added. Local administration sources said preparations at key venues in the capital have been completed, and public programmes will proceed subject to prevailing security advisories.
This announcement frames the state’s Independence Day observances as both ceremonial and symbolic of increased access to areas formerly affected by insurgency. The government’s claim that a further 92 Bastar villages will see the tricolour for the first time references the administration’s post-March 31 position on the security situation in the state.
