Latest news with #Naxalism


Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Protests mar Railways' survey to lay tracks in Bastar
The Indian Railways and Chhattisgarh government are at work to lay train tracks and start rail services inside the state's Bastar region. Railway authorities are conducting surveys before preparing a detailed project report(DPR). Once complete - it will be the first time train services will start in areas that have been for decades a red corridor. The Centre and the state government's have plans of developing the Bastar region and making it accessible to all in line with the Centre's aim of eliminating Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Those conducting surveys in Naxal violence affected districts are facing protests and attacks, allegedly by Maoists supported groups. (AFP) But there is a problem. Those conducting surveys in Naxal violence affected districts are facing protests and attacks, allegedly by Maoists supported groups. The Chairman of the Railway Board on Thursday wrote to the Chhattisgarh government about difficulties its officers are facing in conducting a final location survey(FSL) in Naxal affected areas within Bastar, officials aware of the matter said. HT has seen a letter dated June 26 by Satish Kumar, chairman of the railway board to the state government. Kumar in his letter said that the railway project is being monitored by the home ministry as it is important for the development of the area. People aware of the matter said that the proposed railway line from Kothagudem(Telangana) to Kirandul(Chhattisgarh) passes through the three most Naxal affected districts - Sukma, Bijapur and Dantewada. The proposed alignment passes through three states of Telangana(9.5 km), Andhra Pradesh(12.32km) and the longest stretch within Chhattisgarh at 138.51 km. Kumar in his letter said that while the FSL was completed in parts of Chhattisgarh and the other two states, the teams were facing resistance in Bijapur and Dantewada districts. The officials have to conduct surveys within 26 km of Dantewada and 35 km of Bijapur district - both districts are still included in the list of districts most affected by left wing extremism(LWE) -- where security forces regularly have gunfights with Naxal cadres. 'While in other parts the alignment survey has been completed, the survey work in Dantewada district and Bijapur district is facing challenges and gets hindered due to local resistance,' the top railway board officer said adding that during a meeting held with the state government, the collectors of the districts were briefed about the issue. Furthermore the officer said that on June 9, during the process of survey in Dantewada, the survey teams were interrupted and assaulted by local villagers. 'The incident was immediately brought to the notice of district magistrate(DM) and additional superintendent of police(ASP) of Dantewada…Due to these disruptions, the survey work in the balance portion of Dantewada district and Bijapur is held up. The FSL work for the proposed railway line is very important for the development of the region and is being monitored by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA),' the letter said. When contacted a senior Chhattisgarh government official, who asked not to be named, said that the district magistrate and district superintendents have been instructed to provide full security to the railway personnel and also allay fears of locals. 'The state government has assured the tribals that the project will not negatively impact the community. Instead they will benefit from the development in the this, the collectors of Dantewada and Bijapur have been instructed to provide security and support to the survey team and address the concerns of the locals. He added that even the Centre is monitoring the work and is taking all possible steps to protect the interest of the tribal communities during the construction of a new railway line.' A senior police officer explained there are two kinds of protesters who object to construction/development works within Bastar range. The first are villagers, who have lived under Naxal control all these years.'There were road blockades in Naryanpur (another LWE affected district) too until this year. Innocent villagers were brainwashed all these years. In their case, counselling often leads to a solution. The second category is of the groups set up by Naxals. There are many groups such as Maad Bachao Manch(Save Abujhmad Group), which have already been declared banned groups by the Centre. These groups are propped up by Naxals to block roads and not allow development work. Maoists want tribals not to get access to healthcare, schools or any other government work so they fund these protests).' The state government has planned to develop Bastar and other parts of the state once the areas are freed from Naxal influence. Connecting the Bastar region with other parts of the country via rail is one of the projects of the government keeping in mind the tourism sector as the areas have been under control of Naxals for over 4-5 decades. 'The FLS Work of Kothagudem - Kirandual work is in progress in Chhattisgarh state. The work at present however has been stopped due to resistance by villagers in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh. In spite of assistance provided by the State Govt and support of local administration the work is being stopped intermittently due to local resistance,' Chief public relations officer (CPRO), South Central Railways said. Former CPI leader Manish Kunjam, who has been the face of many protests by tribals in Chhattisgarh, said 'I am not aware of any such protests related to survey by railway officials. People on the ground are not aware of the proposed railway line. But let me say that the railway line is a way of taking away iron ore from the state. Are the villages and owner of the land being consulted before their land is being surveyed?The 1994 Panchayati Raj Act 1994 basically says that the land cannot be acquired before consultation of the gram Sabhas.'


Time of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maoist Influence In Maha Shrinks To 16 Talukas, Gadchiroli Remains Key Battleground
Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt has declared that Maoist influence in the state is now confined to just 16 talukas, with 12 in Gadchiroli district and four in Gondia, signalling a significant decline. A government resolution (GR) on Friday highlights the waning strength of the Maoist movement, particularly in their former stronghold of Abujmarh, straddling Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The GR also directed the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP) to monitor and review the Maoist tag on the twin districts of Gadchiroli and Gondia and submit a detailed report. Security forces estimate that only around 30 armed fighters of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and 15 logistics supporters remain active in the region, with their leadership facing an imminent collapse. The GR supersedes earlier notifications from 2004 and 2005 that identified multiple districts, including Nanded, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gondia, and Gadchiroli as Maoist-hit, said sources. Over the years, sustained operations by security forces significantly weakened the Maoist grip. A 2021 review led to the current classification, designating the entire Gadchiroli district (12 talukas) and four talukas in Gondia— Gondia, Salekasa, Arjuni Morgaon, and Deori — as Naxal-affected. Gadchiroli has been a focal point of anti-Maoist operations, with significant successes in recent years. Over the past two years, approximately 35 Maoists were neutralised, 65 surrendered, and 70 were arrested in the district. In contrast, Gondia has seen minimal Maoist activity, with only three cadres surrendering and one arrested in the same period. The stark reduction in Maoist strength is attributed to relentless security operations, loss of local support, and internal disarray within the Maoist ranks. Abujmarh, once a formidable bastion, is now described as a tottering stronghold, with security forces closing in on the remaining cadres. The state's efforts to curb Naxalism date back to govt decisions in 2004 and 2005, which initially declared multiple districts and talukas as Naxal-affected. Subsequent reviews and GRs in 2013, 2014, and 2015 refined these classifications, reflecting the evolving situation. The 2021 Cabinet meeting further emphasised aligning Maharashtra's list of Naxal-affected areas with the Central Government's designations, prompting the latest review. The DGP's report, which informed the recent GR, underscores the sharp decline in Maoist activities and the need for continued vigilance.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Rail network to reach Naxal-hit Bastar, location survey in concluding stage
A railway line in Naxal-affected Bastar in Chhattisgarh is on the verge of becoming a reality after the final location survey was conducted for the proposed 160-km railway track connecting the remote region in Chhattisgarh with Telangana. This ambitious project will bring the Naxal-affected districts of Sukma, Dantewada and Bijapur into the railway network for the first time, officials said on Friday. The final location survey for the proposed 160 km-long railway line from Kothagudem (Telangana) to Kirandul (Chhattisgarh) has entered its concluding stage. The Indian Railways is conducting the survey using cutting-edge LiDAR technology, and the entire process is being closely monitored by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, given its immense significance for both national security and regional development, officials said. With strong support from the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai-led state government, the survey work has gained momentum once again. The project aims to open new paths of education, healthcare, trade, and self-reliance for the people of Bastar. The railway line will span three states -- Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh -- but the largest portion of over 138 km lies within Chhattisgarh, covering some of the most remote and underdeveloped tribal areas, they said. While survey work has progressed rapidly in many sections, it has faced hurdles in Dantewada and Bijapur. On June 9 this year, a survey team was stopped and assaulted by local villagers in Dantewada, halting work in a 26-km stretch in Dantewada and 35 km in Bijapur. The incident was reported to the local administration, but the work remains incomplete in those parts. Officials said only after the final location survey is completed can the Detailed Project Report (DPR) be prepared, which is essential to initiate construction. This is why the Union government considers the project not merely a transport initiative but a strategic intervention for lasting peace and inclusive development in the region. According to a letter dated June 26, 2025, from Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar to the chief secretary of Chhattisgarh, the project is now at a decisive juncture. The LiDAR survey, conducted via drones and aircraft, helps accurately map the terrain, including hills, rivers, and vegetation, ensuring a safe and precise alignment for the railway line. Once the survey is completed, Indian Railways will finalise the DPR and move toward laying tracks. There have been concerns of local villagers, mostly tribal residents, about losing land or forests. However, the Chhattisgarh government has assured that the railway will bring opportunities, not harm. Instructions have already been issued to the collectors of Dantewada and Bijapur to fully support the survey teams, officials said. The government considers the railway line not just as a development project, but also as a decisive step in eliminating Naxalism from the region, officials said. For decades, large parts of Bastar have remained isolated from mainstream progress, becoming vulnerable to extremist ideologies. The arrival of a railway will not only improve connectivity but also establish a permanent presence of governance, trust, and stability in these areas, which is why the Union Home Ministry is directly monitoring the project, officials said. For farmers, the railway line will be a lifeline providing easy access to markets for their produce such as paddy, mahua, tendu leaves, and bamboo, ultimately boosting incomes and encouraging economic independence, they said. Tribal communities, long cut off from the rest of the country, will gain access to schools, hospitals, and employment through a reliable transport network. Besides, children will reach schools more safely and swiftly, patients will get medical help on time, and youth will find new pathways for jobs and skill training, officials said.


News18
2 days ago
- 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


India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Chhattisgarh: Congress' Sachin Pilot meets family of police official killed in IED blast
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 24 (ANI): Congress leader and the party's Chhattisgarh in-charge Sachin Pilot met with the family members of Akash Rao Giripunje, Additional Superintendent of Police, who lost his life in an IED blast in Sukma district. Congress's state president Deepak Baij, Chhattisgarh Assembly's leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant, party MLA Devendra Yadav, former MLA Vikas Upadhyay and others accompanied Pilot to meet the families. Pilot said that the sacrifice of the ASP will always be remembered, as he assured the family of support in any possible way. 'I expressed condolences to the family of the officer. We will support them in all possible way, and government is also helping them... We will always remember their sacrifice,' he told ANI. He also criticised the state government for 'turning away from its promises,' and said that the Congress party's president, Mallikarjun Kharge, along with senior leader KC Venugopal, will be visiting Chhattisgarh on July 7. 'Concentrating entire country's power in few people's hands is wrong... Many state governments and the Union government is sidelining all sorts of processes and achieving their target, which we are against... The Chhattisgarh government is neither with the farmers, and is also turning away from its promises... Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal are coming to Chhattisgarh on 7th July... State government will come to know who the public stands with,' Pilot said. Earlier on June 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the family members of ASP Giripunje. In a post on X, Shah wrote, 'Today, I met the family members of senior police officer Akash Rao Giripunje, who was martyred in the fight against Naxalism in Nava Raipur (Chhattisgarh). The Modi government is moving forward in the direction of paying tribute to all the immortal martyrs by making India free of naxalism by March 31, 2026.' According to officials, ASP Giripunje was on foot patrol duty to prevent any Naxalite incident, when the IED blast occurred near Dondra on Konta-Errabora road, due to which ASP Konta Division, Sukma district, Akash Rao Giripunje sustained serious injuries. He later succumbed to the injuries. (ANI)