Deities from around 50 villages previously affected by Naxalism participated in Chhattisgarh's 75-day Bastar Dussehra festival for the first time since the reported eradication of Naxalism in the region this year. Village deities were brought from remote areas of Sukma, Bijapur and Narayanpur districts, as well as Odisha. The increased participation reflected improved access to remote areas.