The 180 kilometer “Tiranga Yatra” undertaken by tribal activist and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader in Chhattisgarh Soni Sori continues strongly despite attempts at intimidation and harassment of participants .

The Tiranga Yatra, which began on August 9, is scheduled to conclude at Gompad village of Sukma district on August 15 with the unfurling of the national flag by tribal activists.

Gompad village falls in the area of Sukma district which is considered a “Maoists’ territory”.

Organizers of the Yatra said attempts are being made to ensure that the march does not reach Gompad on Independence Day.

Ms Sori and her nephew Lingaram Kodopi have been asked to be present in Jagdalpur court every single day from August 9 to August 28 in relation to a case against them.

“I go along with the Yatra in the morning. By afternoon I reach court. Again by evening I go back and join the Yatra,” Ms Sori told The Hindu.

But on Thursday, some unidentified men tried to “intimidate and attack” her when she was traveling to Jagdalpur from Dantewada along with Mr.Kodopi, her bodyguards, and some journalists.

“Three vehicles started following us near the area where a chemical attack was made on me in February this year. The men in the vehicles were policemen in plain clothes and had weapons with them. They abused us and tried to attack us. We somehow managed to escape. It was clearly an attempt to delay me for my court proceedings,” alleged the tribal activist.

According to some local sources, the vehicles were seen to be entering Kodenar police station vindicating Ms. Sori’s claims.

The Yatra has been facing hostility from both the police and the Maoists.

The CPI (Maoist) spokesperson Vikalp has welcomed the Yatra but opposed to the move to unfurl the Indian national flag.

Controversial IPS officer and Bastar police chief S.R.P. Kalluri has called the Tiranga Yatra a signal of change in Maoists’ stance.

“According to me, this is a change of heart of the Maoists. They usually celebrate Independence Day as a black day and unfurl black flags. But if somebody is going to unfurl national flag (in Maoist areas) and if the Maoists’ spokesperson has issued a statement supporting it then it is clearly visible that the Maoists have started believing in democracy,” said Mr. Kalluri.

Mr.Kalluri’s statement came after Ms.Sori dared him to unfurl national flag in Gumpad on Independence Day.