Bastar's Nature Cafe: Where Maoists traded AK-47s for coffee and new lives

In the dense forests of Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district -- once known for gunfire and Maoist violence -- a new story is taking shape. It is a story of change, rehabilitation and hope, bringing people who once walked the path of violence back into the mainstream of society.

Located near Tungal Dam on the banks of the Sabari River, Tungal Nature Cafe reflects the changing face of the Bastar region, where hands that once carried AK-47s now serve coffee with a smile.

Operational since December 2025, the cafe employs five women who were once part of Maoist groups. These women, who once lived deep inside the forests as armed cadres, are now writing a new chapter in their lives. Supported by the administration and local residents, the initiative is emerging as a unique model of rehabilitation.

For decades, the Bastar region remained in the grip of Maoist violence and underdevelopment. On Monday, people in Bastar woke up to a new dawn as Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that India was now “Naxal-free”.

FROM JUNGLE TO NORMAL LIFE

Until recently, Bastar and Sukma were associated with Maoist violence, encounters and security operations. Many young men and women joined Maoist organisations due to fear, poverty, circumstance or ideological influence.

Over time, however, government rehabilitation policies, continued efforts by security forces and development work began changing the region’s image. Tungal Nature Cafe has become a symbol of that transformation.

The women working here were once members of different Maoist battalions and organisations. Some carried rewards of several lakh rupees on their heads, while others were active in divisional committees. Today, however, their identities have changed. Instead of weapons, they now handle trays and coffee mugs.

WHO ARE THESE WOMEN?

1. Kuhram Rame

Kuhram Rame was an Area Committee Member-level Maoist cadre and carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh. She surrendered on April 22, 2024. Today, she serves coffee and local dishes to tourists.

2. Madvi Budhri

Madvi Budhri was associated with Battalion-1 and carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh. She surrendered on January 30, 2025. After years spent in the forests, she now manages kitchen operations and cafe administration.

3. Muchaki Some

Muchaki Some was a member of the North Bastar Division Press Committee and carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh. She surrendered on April 22, 2022. Today, she welcomes customers to the cafe with a smile.

4. Madkam Poje

Formerly the deputy commander of the Keralapal LOS unit, Madkam Poje carried a reward of Rs 3 lakh. He now assists in cafe operations and local coordination.

5. Kalmu Payke

Kalmu Payke, also an ACM-level cadre, carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh and surrendered in 2024. She now prepares local delicacies for visitors.

6. Anita Podiyam

Anita Podiyam is the wife of a surrendered cadre. She too joined the initiative and has begun a new life.

A NEW DAWN FOR BASTAR

One of the women working at the cafe became emotional while speaking about the contrast between her past and present.

“We had seen darkness in our past. Getting the opportunity to serve society now feels like a new birth for us. Replacing explosives with coffee and earning through honest work has given us peace and dignity,” she said.

Another staff member added: “Earlier, we could not even dream of giving our families a better life. Today, with our earnings, we can secure our family’s future. This became possible because of the administration and this cafe.”

Their words reflect not just personal stories, but the broader psychological transformation slowly unfolding in Bastar.

One of the most striking aspects of Tungal Nature Cafe is its location. Developed near Tungal Dam on the banks of the Sabari River -- a major tributary of the Indravati River -- the site is surrounded by lush greenery, calm waters and dense forests.

The administration hopes the region will one day be known not only for security operations, but also for tourism and positive change.

Tourists visiting the cafe enjoy local dishes and coffee while also witnessing the transformation of Bastar up close.

A FRESH BEGINNING

The Chhattisgarh government and security agencies have long worked on rehabilitating surrendered Maoists, usually through financial assistance, skill training and employment opportunities.

But Tungal Nature Cafe offers a new direction to these efforts. It provides not just jobs, but also dignity and an opportunity to reconnect with society.

According to officials, the women had shown interest in cooking and hospitality, following which the initiative was launched with community participation.

The goal is not only employment, but also sending a message that those willing to abandon violence and return to the mainstream will be given opportunities.

SUPPORT FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS

Initially, many people were hesitant. Accepting individuals once associated with police records and security operations back into society was not easy.

Gradually, however, locals embraced the change. Residents from nearby villages now visit the cafe, interact with the women and encourage them to lead normal lives.

Local youth say the initiative could inspire others to leave the path of violence if they see the possibility of a dignified life.

A CHANGING BASTAR

There was a time when the name Bastar evoked fear and insecurity. Today, however, roads are being built, schools are opening, mobile networks are expanding and tourism is being promoted.

Tungal Nature Cafe stands as a living example of this changing Bastar.

It is not merely a place that sells coffee. It is the story of people who chose life over guns. It is the story of women who left behind fear and violence in search of dignity and self-respect.

Every tourist who sits here for a cup of coffee becomes part of a larger journey of peace, hope and transformation unfolding across Bastar.

A CUP OF COFFEE CARRYING A MESSAGE OF PEACE

The greatest strength of Tungal Nature Cafe is its story. Every cup of coffee served here sends a message that no one is destined to remain trapped in violence forever. With opportunity, trust and dignity, lives can change.

Hands that once carried guns in the forests now welcome visitors with warmth. A life once tied to explosives has been replaced by the aroma of coffee.

This small cafe in Sukma may eventually emerge as a national model for rehabilitation and social transformation -- because what is served here is not just coffee, but a new life.

- Ends