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United News of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
13 Naxals capitulate in Chhattisgarh
Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), July 24 (UNI) Thirteen Maoists have surrendered in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-affected Bastar division's Narayanpur and Sukma districts. Eight rebels -- including a technical team commander -- who were active in Narayanpur's Abujhmad, capitulated during an anti-Naxal operation. The others were active in Sukma's Jagargunda and Chintalnar areas. In order to implement Union Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah's declaration of a Naxal-free Bastar at the ground level, the security forces are conducting a monsoon operation. The entry of personnel into dense forests has instilled fear into the minds of militants who were hitherto considering rivers and nullahs as a protective cover. "A forceful campaign is underway against the banned Maoist organisation in entire Bastar division. In the first six months of this year, 204 insurgents have been neutralised in encounters, whereas 140 surrendered. Bastar Police is committed to maintain the momentum of the drive. This success even during inclement weather showcases the firm resolve of the security forces. Lasting peace, progress, and prosperity shall be ensured in Bastar," Inspector General (Bastar Range) Sundarraj Patttilingam said today. UNI XC-AC ARN
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In fight against Maoists, Bastar police try a new approach – reaching out to their families
Holding village outreach programmes, reaching out to existing Maoist cadres through their families and persuading them to lay down their arms – that's what the Bastar Police plans to do with its new initiative 'Poona Margham'. Translated as 'New Path', the outreach comes as part of the state government's anti-insurgency push to meet the central government's March 2026 push against the Maoist movement. It also comes months after the state government introduced the 'Naxal Surrender and Victim Rehabilitation Policy-2025'. According to the police, the campaign aims at having security forces – especially surrendered Maoists recruited into the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Bastar Fighters – reach out to families of existing cadres and persuade them to 'shun violence and join the mainstream'. 'Poona Margham is an initiative in which we will emphasise on reaching out to Maoists and facilitate their surrender and reintegration into society,' Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range Sundarraj P told The Indian Express. 'We will be conducting various community outreach programmes, meeting the family of the existing Maoist cadres and village elders to highlight the need for peace for the region's inclusive development.' The initiative also promises skill development training, promoting self-employment and livelihood opportunities and providing psychological counselling and social reintegration to surrendered Maoists. Other measures under the campaign include continuing outreach measures such as medical camps, holding sporting activities and cultural reintegration programmes. 'The campaign is to make the cadres realise that the Maoist outfit is breathing its last and that, now, they are left with only one option — shun violence and join mainstream. They are urged to understand their responsibilities toward their families, society, and nation, and adopt the path of peace, harmony, and rehabilitation,' Sundarraj P said. Counter-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh have intensified significantly since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state in December 2023. Since then, over 400 Maoists have been killed in the state – 221 in this year alone. Meanwhile, 38 security personnel and 97 civilians have also been killed in Naxal violence during the same period.
News18
26-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
2025 Sees Highest Spike In Female Naxal Killings And Surrenders Since 2001
Last Updated: Between 2001 and June 20, 2025, a total of 1,513 Maoists were killed in police encounters in Bastar of which 348 were women — approximately 23 per cent A record 82 female Maoists have been killed in encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region in 2025, according to official data from Chhattisgarh Police. Women now account for 42 per cent of the total 195 Naxals killed in encounters this year—the highest recorded since 2001. As per data maintained by Chhattisgarh Police, between 2001 and June 20, 2025, a total of 1,513 Maoists were killed in police encounters in Bastar, of which 348 were women—approximately 23 per cent of the total. However, the spike in 2025 marks a significant and troubling trend in Maoist insurgency. P Sundarraj, Inspector General of Police (IG), Bastar Range, and a 2003-batch IPS officer known for dedicating most of his career to anti-Naxal operations, told News18, 'The banned and unlawful CPI (Maoist) outfit has, as part of a deliberate and systematic conspiracy, coerced and misled numerous women and young girls—particularly from the tribal and rural areas of the Bastar region—and forcibly inducted them into its ranks over the years." He added: 'These women and girls were drawn in under false pretences and subjected to emotional, social, and psychological manipulation, effectively denying them the opportunity to make informed choices about their own lives and futures. Tragically, once recruited, these women were never empowered or given positions of influence. Instead, they were ruthlessly exploited by the top Maoist leadership, used primarily as human shields during encounters and as foot soldiers during violent activities, while senior leaders remained protected." 'It must be clarified that we are not advocating for women to be assigned higher positions within these violent extremist groups. Rather, our objective is to expose the deep-rooted gender discrimination and exploitative practices that exist within the Maoist hierarchy." The Central Armed Police Force, playing one of the most crucial roles in wiping off Naxalism from the country, has seen a similar trend. Data compiled by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for 2024 and 2025 supports the findings of Chhattisgarh Police. Over two years, 48 female Maoists were killed (16 in 2024 and 32 in 2025), 35 were apprehended (17 in 2024, 18 in 2025), and 202 surrendered (91 in 2024 and 111 in 2025). These figures reflect a rise not only in fatalities but also in voluntary surrenders, suggesting growing dissatisfaction within Maoist ranks—especially among women. The force is working with local administration towards rehabilitation and infrastructure developments. Meanwhile, IG Sundarraj said the Bastar Police are committed to ending the cycle of exploitation. 'The Bastar Police remains steadfast in its commitment to breaking this exploitative cycle. Through targeted community engagement, gender-sensitive outreach, and dedicated rehabilitation initiatives, we are working to shield vulnerable women from falling into the clutches of Maoist deception and to support those who choose to abandon violence and reintegrate into society." He reiterated the government's focus on humane, gender-responsive rehabilitation. 'We continue to prioritise voluntary surrenders by offering comprehensive, humane, and gender-responsive rehabilitation policies that include access to education, vocational training, healthcare, and avenues for full social reintegration." First Published: June 26, 2025, 08:15 IST
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Setback for forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma: ASP Akash Rao Girepunje killed in Maoist IED blast
In a major setback for security forces, an additional superintendent of police was killed and two police officers injured in an improvised explosive device blast in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. The IED was planted by Maoists near Dondra village on Konta-Errabor road. The incident took place when additional superintendent of police (Konta division) Akash Rao Girepunje and others were patrolling on foot after receiving inputs that an earth-mover machine was torched by Maoists in the area, an official said. When the police team reached the spot an IED exploded, causing injuries to ASP Girepunje, sub divisional officer of police Bhanupratap Chandrakar and station house officer Sonal Gwala, he said. All the injured personnel were shifted to Konta Hospital for initial treatment, he said. "Girepunje sustained serious injuries. He succumbed to his injuries during treatment," the official said. The 42-year-old ASP, who hailed from Raipur district, was recruited as deputy superintendent of police in 2013. He was serving as ASP, Konta since 2024, according to Bastar Police. Bastar Range IGP, Sundarraj P, said, "He was one of the bravest personnel of the Chhattisgarh Police who served in Maoist-affected areas like Manpur-Mohla and Sukma. Two other injured officials are reported to be out of danger. They were airlifted to Raipur for further medication." "At present, the Left-Wing Extremists are on the backfoot and the organisation is completely weak. They do not have the courage to face the security forces directly. Therefore, they have resorted to targeting our brave forces and civilians. They have been using IEDs for killing innocent civilians and policemen," Sundarraj said, adding Bastar will be free of Maoists soon. "The Chhattisgarh government, police, all citizens and the police family stand firmly with the family of martyr Girepunje in this hour of grief. His sacrifice will further strengthen our commitment to completely destroy a cruel and conspiratorial organisation like the outlawed CPI (Maoist)," a police statement said. (With Agency Inputs)
