A two-month-long initiative, ‘Peace Yatra’, that aims to strengthen the push of citizens for a dialogue between the Government and the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) to end violence and killing in conflict areas in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Odisha, began in Bhilai of Chhattisgarh on April 15, reports The Week. The first ‘Chaikle Maandi’ (peace meeting) of a series of such meetings, planned for the next two months, was held with 50 tribal people – most of them employees or retired employees of the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). The yatra (tour) has been launched under the banner of “New Peace Process (NPP)” – an initiative of tribal and supporting groups seeking a peaceful resolution to the Maoist issue. Convener of the NPP, Shubhranshu Choudhary said the yatra will cover 10 districts in what is known as ‘Dandakaranya region’ including seven in Bastar division and the Mohla-Manpur Ambagarh Chowki district of Chhattisgarh, Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and Malkangiri in Odisha. Attempts will be made to hold one 'Chaikle Maandi' per day during the two months, he said, “The aim is that there should be citizens’ voice created that can pressurize the political parties, especially the Congress, which is the ruling party in Chhattisgarh to take steps forward for peace dialogue with the Maoists, ahead of the assembly polls that will be held in October-November 2023.”