Chhattisgarh: Sukma's weekly market shut due to Maoist violence, reopens after 20 years

RAIPUR: A forcibly shut weekly market due to Maoist violence that served as the only source of basic grocery to tribal population in remote Dabbakonta village of insurgency-hit Sukma district in Bastar, has now thrown open after 20 years bringing hope and enthusiasm for locals. The market had to close down during Salwa Judum movement in 2005 and and Maoist dominance in the area forced all commercial activity to stop.

Since then villagers walked or travelled several kilometers to other village markets for basic groceries, household essentials and agricultural supplies, often waiting for weekly haat days elsewhere.




Dabbakonta is the region where Maoist commander Madvi Hidma had raised and originated his battalion, SP Sukma said.

When the traders tried to reopen it several times in the past, Maoists used to beat them up and did not allow the market to run.

On Monday, villagers, traders and local priests gathered to perform traditional rituals and formally restart the haat, marking the return of a buzz that once formed the economic backbone of the community.

"For years, attempts to revive the market were met with violent resistance. Traders who tried to restart business a few years ago were beaten by Maoists and warned never to return. Due to the rebels’ stronghold in the region, the weekly haat could never resume—any increase in movement of traders, villagers or security forces was seen as a threat to Maoist control," said an official.

Speaking to TOI, Sukma SP Kiran Chavan said, "Villagers were forced to walk a night before for 15-20 kms to reach the markets of Chintagufa,Pentapad or Bhejji before they got closed. Now, this reopened market will be accessible to 15-20 villages, catering to population of nearly 4500 villagers."

"Dabbakonta was heavily Maoist infested and has seen martyrdom of several jawans. In fact when the security camp came up in 2023, then too we lost a jawan. Villagers were eagerly waiting for this day. A market in the neighbourhood means dignity, convenience and a sense of normal life returning,” SP said.

The revival of the Dabbakonta market is being seen as a sign of improving security in the Sukma–Konta belt, where anti-Maoist operations and increasing administrative presence have slowly reduced rebel dominance.

With the market back after two decades, villagers expressed joy and relief, calling it a symbol of changing times and reclaiming spaces once lost to insurgency.




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