What’s behind the spike in Maoist casualties in Chhattisgarh this year?
What’s behind the spike in Maoist casualties in Chhattisgarh this year?
EIGHT MAOISTS WERE killed during an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Saturday – the latest in a series of anti-Naxal operations in the current calendar year. A security force personnel also died in Saturday’s encounter after sustaining a bullet injury.
According to state government sources, the anti-Naxal operations have picked pace since the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, with the alignment of the political objective at the Centre — of total area domination in core areas and a firm line against Naxals— with the state, where the BJP returned to power in December 2023.
For instance, when it comes to penetration into core areas, in just five months, the police have set up 32 camps in core areas compared with an average of 16-17 camps being set up every year. “Multi-force and inter-district operations with better coordination have helped. Majority of the operations were done by state forces and Central forces like CRPF, CoBRA, ITBP and BSF, said Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police, Bastar range.
When asked about the state government’s anti-Naxal strategy, Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma told The Indian Express, “The officers and men are the same, but the government and the resolution have changed. Even in Jammu and Kashmir, nothing has changed, just Modiji’s government and Amit Shah ji's resolution has changed. Resolution of government is a major factor.” He expects Naxalism to end in three years; plans to put in place a good surrender policy, ensure rehabilitation of Naxals, and come out with relief measures for victims of Naxalism.
In less than six months of calendar year 2024, the anti-Naxal operations have resulted in 136 Maoist casualties; this includes five whose bodies were not recovered by the police, but found mention in a press release by the Naxal outfits, said Sundarraj. This is the highest in any year since the state of Chhattisgarh was formed in 2000. In 2016, there were 134 Naxal casualties, the second highest so far.
“The number of anti-Naxal operations are numerous. But exchange of fire took place in 72 operations in which 136 Maoists have been killed; 392 Naxals have been arrested in the year till date and 399 have surrendered,” he told The Indian Express. However, 22 civilians and 10 security personnel have also lost their lives during the year so far, he said.
Sources in the security establishment in the Centre said the increased number of encounters and the greater success against Maoists is the result of the state police force taking the lead and better coordination between state police and central forces. Further, security forces have opened camps deep in Maoist core areas too over the last few years.
A security establishment officer in the Centre said that “the state police have got their act together”. “Most of these successful encounters have been conducted either solely by the special forces of the state police or led by them. Also, the DRG have come of age and are now operating with full force. Historically, all Maoist insurgencies have been defeated by state police and not central forces,” the officer said.
In 2023, data compiled by the state government showed that 24 Maoists were killed. During the five years of the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in the state, the total number of Naxal casualties have been 210. Sources in the police, however, said the previous Congress government too had taken a hard stance against Naxals. “There has been remarkable improvement and improvisation in the field fighting tactics and strategy of the forces. We have tried to rectify the shortcomings from the previous season,” said an officer who did not wish to be named.
In the latest operation, a senior police officer said, security forces have been engaged in an anti-Naxal operation in Abujhmad since June 12. The operation was undertaken based on inputs about the presence of members of the Maad Division and the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army of the banned CPI Maoist in the forest of Kutul, Farsabeda and Kodameta.
In the encounter, which started at 7 am, constables Nitesh Aekka (27), Kailash Netam (33) and Lekhram Netam (28) sustained injuries. Nitesh died during treatment.
The operation was jointly undertaken by the District Reserve Guards (DRG) and the Special Task Force from four districts – Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Kanker and Dantewada. The task force also includes personnel from the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) 53rd Corps.
Security personnel have seized an INSAS rifle, a .303 rifle, and a barrel grenade launcher from the Maoists.
Out of the 131 Naxals killed (whose bodies were recovered by the police) so far this year, 51 were in Bijapur, 34 in Kanker, 26 in Narayanpur, and 20 in other districts of Bastar region.
On the fight against Naxalism in an interview to The Indian Express in May this year, Home Minister Amit Shah had said, “Today, it’s confined to three districts; the fight slowed down during five years of the Congress rule in Chhattisgarh. In five months since we have been there, 125 Naxalites have been killed, 350 have surrendered; 250 have been arrested. Naxalism won’t live for more than two years.”
A home ministry official said a multi-pronged approach being pursued for the past few years is finally bearing fruit. “Along with strengthening the security grid, the Centre has laid stress on improving infrastructure and connectivity in terms of taking roads to Maoist bastions and installing telecom towers. More than 20 security force camps have been opened deep in Maoist core areas, including Abujhmaad, in the past six months alone. All of this has helped with generation of better intelligence, swift movement of forces and hot pursuit of Maoist in their core areas,” the official said.
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