DRG troopers’ viral Bastariya dance: A celebration of triumph over Maoist insurgency

 

By Mukesh S Singh

 

A euphoric video of District Reserve Guard (DRG) troopers performing the Bastariya dance has ignited social media, trending widely across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This celebration followed their strategic ambush in Sukma’s Bhejji forests, where they neutralised 10 Maoists early Friday morning. The video, showcasing the DRG’s camaraderie and indomitable spirit, has become a metaphor for Chhattisgarh’s relentless campaign against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). Acting on intelligence about Maoist infiltration from Odisha,

 

the DRG launched a precision-led operation, ambushing insurgents in the dense terrain. The recovery of advanced weaponry, including AK-47s, SLRs, and INSAS rifles, underscores both the Maoists’ operational capabilities and the DRG’s tactical brilliance. The unit’s exceptional success stems from its unique composition of reformed Maoists, whose insider knowledge of guerrilla tactics proves invaluable.

 

Trained at premier institutions like the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Mizoram and the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College (CTJW) in Kanker, the DRG has emerged as a formidable force in counter-insurgency. Vijay Prahar: Redefining counter-insurgency: The Vijay Prahar initiative, spearheaded by CM Sai, has transformed the battle against Maoist insurgency. With 213 insurgents eliminated within 11 months, the campaign integrates precision-grounded tactics with coordinated state and central efforts. Sai highlighted its impact, saying, “We are not only reclaiming territories but also empowering communities long oppressed by terror.”