Sukma, Nov. 8 -- Sukma police celebrated Diwali with residents of Puvarti village, the native village of Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, marking the festival of lights, police said on Sunday.

Notably, Puvarti village was recently declared Naxal-free, reflecting the changing security situation in the region.

The 43-year-old top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, who was allegedly responsible for at least 26 deadly attacks against security personnel and civilians, including the 2017 Sukma attack in which 26 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed, was eliminated in an encounter on November 18, 2025.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also celebrated Diwali in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region with security personnel deployed i...