Sunday, 23 Mar, 2025
As authorities aim to achieve the aspirational target of a Naxal-free India by 2026, the fight against Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh seems to be picking up steam in light of this recent victory. Image Source: IANS
With this most recent encounter, 40 Naxalites have been slain in various operations in Chhattisgarh so far this year.
In Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh, a major clash with security forces near the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Naxalites, including a senior cadre. A combined team from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Odisha Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Chhattisgarh Police conducted the operation, which was praised as a huge success.
Naxalism was on the verge of defeat, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who credited the accomplishment to the security forces' unrelenting efforts in a coordinated operation. Shah described the operation as "another mighty blow to the Maoists" in a post on X (previously Twitter), indicating a major advancement in the fight for a Naxal-free India. “With the resolve for a Naxal-free India and the joint efforts of the security forces, Naxalism is breathing its last today,” he said.
Based on information on the presence of Maoists in the Kularighat reserve forest, which is only five kilometers from the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, the combined operation got underway on the evening of January 19. A CoBRA jawan was hurt in a clash on Monday that claimed the lives of two female Naxalites. Twelve additional Naxalites lost their lives as a result of the combat, which lasted into Tuesday morning. A sizable stash of guns, ammunition, and IEDs—including a self-loading rifle—was found by security personnel. Jairam, also known as Chalpati, a Maoist central committee member with a Rs one crore bounty, was one of the Naxalites killed. Authorities are still searching the area, and the identities of the other cadres who died have not yet been confirmed.
With this most recent encounter, 40 Naxalites have been slain in various operations in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Days before, on January 16, a similar operation in the Bijapur district killed 12 Naxalites; Maoist factions eventually acknowledged 18 people were executed. Security forces conducted operations around the state last year and killed 219 Naxalites.
Both national and state officials are steadfast in their resolve to eradicate Naxalism from the nation as security forces continue their operations in the area. As authorities aim to achieve the aspirational target of a Naxal-free India by 2026, the fight against Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh seems to be picking up steam in light of this recent victory.
Source: Press Information Bureau
The Government of India (GoI) supports the LWE affected States on the security front by giving them Central Armed Police battalions, training, and funding for modernizing State police forces, equipment, and weapons, sharing intelligence, building fortified police stations, and other things. On the development side, in addition to flagship programs, the GoI has taken a number of specific initiatives in LWE affected States, with a focus on building out the road network, enhancing telecommunication connectivity, skilling, and financial inclusion. Over the past five years, from 2019–20 to 2023–24, Rs 4350.78 crore has been made available for the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Security Related Expenditure (SRE), and Special Central Assistance (SCA) programs to help the LWE-affected states increase their capacity.
Source: Press Information Bureau
The LWE picture has much improved in terms of decreased violence and limited geographic spread as a result of the Policy's uncompromising implementation. Compared to 2010, there were 73% fewer violent events due to LWE in 2023. Additionally, there were 138 resulting deaths (security forces plus civilians) in 2023 as opposed to 1005 in 2010, an 86% decrease. The number of districts affected by LWE has decreased from 126 to 90 in April 2018, to 70 in July 2021, and then to 38 in April 2024 as a result of the better LWE scenario.
The highest number (481) of incidents of killing were reported in 2010 as it was one of the worst years affected by the naxal insurgency. Seventy Six CRPF policemen were killed in a naxal attack in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada in 2010. This is one of the deadliest attacks carried out by the naxalites in the 21st century. The year 2010 also registered the highest number of civilian casualties as 630 lost their lives due to naxal violence. The highest number of security forces were killed in 2009 as 319 security personnel lost their lives. Highest numbers of naxals (343) were killed in 2006.
Source: Press Information Bureau
The districts reporting LWE related violence incidents reduced from 96 in 2010 to 45 in 2022 and 38 in 2024. The number of Police Stations reporting LWE related violence incidents also reduced from 465 in 2010 to 176 in 2022. It should be noted that though the naxal violence has decreased in the past few years, there are some strongholds where naxals continue to dominate. They have also been regularly indulging in violence against security forces.
From a peak of 465 Police Stations of 96 districts in 2010 to just 191 Police Stations of 46 districts reporting LWE-related violence in 2021, the geographic distribution of violence has dramatically decreased over time. Seventy-three police stations from 333 districts reported LWE violence in 2014. The fewer districts included in the SRE Scheme is another indication of the decline in geographical dispersion. From 126 to 90 SRE districts in April 2018 and then to 70 in July 2021, the number of SRE districts decreased. In a similar vein, the number of districts that account for over 90 percent of LWE violence—dubbed the Most LWE Affected Districts—dropped from 35 in 2018 to 25 in 2021.
The Central Government has changed course to expedite the eradication of naxalism, marking a turning point in the fight against it. To get to the core of the problem, the central government has been focusing on the Naxal leadership for the past year. Top Maoist leaders with a bounty are hidden from view as security forces step up their attempts in the forests and jungles of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra.
