Varanasi: A 108-member delegation from Uttar Pradesh’s formerly Naxal-affected districts of Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli left for Gujarat on Thursday to participate in the National Unity Day Parade 2026 under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ “Naxal Mukt Bharat” theme.The delegation comprises 94 participants–33 from Sonbhadra, 30 from Mirzapur and 31 from Chandauli– and and 14 officials. .The group departed from Varanasi Junction railway station aboard the Ekta Nagar Mahamana Express (Train No. 20904). A farewell ceremony was held at platform 9 at 5 am, where participants were garlanded and flagged off by Naveen Arora, additional director general of police, Varanasi Zone, who has been appointed the state nodal officer for the programme.The participants were selected by the Union home ministry from districts previously affected by Maoism. The initiative aims to involve people from these regions in national celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.For coordination and security, the delegation is accompanied by administrative and police officials. The district magistrates of Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli will serve as assistant nodal officers.The National Unity Day parade will be held on October 31 at the Statue of Unity complex in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia, Gujarat. The event will feature marching contingents from state police forces, Central Armed Police Forces, special anti-Naxal units, NCC cadets and cultural groups.The delegation is scheduled to leave Ekta Nagar on October 31 and return on Nov 2.
