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News18
4 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 Today
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Naxals strangle three villagers to death in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur
Three villagers were allegedly killed by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Tuesday evening. The victims were strangled with attack appears to be an attempt by Naxalites to spread fear among locals, officials said. Police have launched an investigation to verify the details and confirm the identities of those attack comes even as security forces make significant gains in dismantling the Maoist movement, especially in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, once the epicentre of Left-Wing 'The Maoist movement is in its final days. Their leadership is disjointed and demoralised. Only 300 armed cadres remain in the Dandakaranya zone who must surrender or prepare for a decisive war,' said Bastar Inspector General of Police Sundarraj to Sundarraj, the top Maoist decision-making body, the Central Committee, has not met in years, forcing the remaining four Politburo members to take charge, most of whom are old, in hiding, or DGP and Naxal expert RK Vij added, 'The ideological vacuum is glaring. Maoist leadership has shifted from revolutionary rhetoric to criminality.'Earlier this month, a major breakthrough came when security forces killed Central Committee member Sudhakar, who carried a Rs 40 lakh reward on his head, during an encounter in Bijapur's National Park area. His death followed the neutralisation of CPI (Maoist) general secretary Nambala Keshav Rao, also known as Basavaraju, in the dense Abujhmad a veteran of the Maoist movement since the late 1970s, had a Rs 1.5 crore bounty and was wanted for several deadly attacks across multiple to his death, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had called the operation "a landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism.' He said, 'It was the first time in three decades of Bharat's battle against Naxalism that a general secretary-ranked leader has been neutralised by our forces.'The government's aggressive anti-Naxal push has led to 253 encounters across the Bastar Range between 2023 and June 9, 2025, with 429 Maoists killed — including 192 this year alone. A total of 1,812 Maoists have surrendered or been arrested, and 916 IEDs and 606 weapons have been recovered.'The fight isn't over until the ideology is rejected in every corner. But this is the closest we've come to ending the insurgency,' Sundarraj InMust Watch
India Today
11-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Naxalism nears collapse as only 4 Politburo, 18 Central Committee members left
India's decades-long battle against Left-Wing Extremism is entering its final stage, with security agencies confirming a near-complete dismantling of the Communist Party of India (Maoist)'s leadership. According to Bastar IG Sundarraj Pattilingam, only four Politburo members and 18 Central Committee members remain active, most of whom are either in hiding or too old to operate effectively."The Maoist movement is in its final days. Their leadership is disjointed and demoralised. Only 300 armed cadres remain in the Dandakaranya zone who must surrender or prepare for a decisive war," Sundarraj Central Committee, typically the highest decision-making body, has not convened in years due to security pressures. In its absence, the Politburo assumes charge. According to former DGP and naxal expert RK Vij, these bodies once drove strategy through a three-pronged model: the Party, the Army, and the United Front. But that structure is now on the verge of collapse. The four remaining Politburo members include Muppala Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathi, Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji, Mallojula Venugopal alias Sonu, and Misir Besra alias Sunirmal. Eighteen others continue as Central Committee members, including high-profile figures like Madari Hidma, the field commander behind multiple deadly deaths of leaders such as Basavaraju, Bhaskar, and Sudhakar have further dismantled the group's core. 'The ideological vacuum is glaring. Maoist leadership has shifted from revolutionary rhetoric to criminality,' Vij said, noting that only around 20 members remain in the Dandakaranya decline is not just ideological but territorial. Areas like Abujhmaad - once Maoist strongholds - are now seeing roads, mobile towers, and security camps. Villages like Kohkameta and Puvarti are no longer data indicate a massive crackdown between 2023 and May 2025. Over 2,25,000 Maoists were arrested, 4,41,000 surrendered, and nearly 1,19,000 were neutralized. More than 6,699 security personnel were killed, and 1,12,000 injured in over 4,499 encounters. Forces seized 2,200 AK-47 rifles, over 2,21,000 country-made weapons, and dismantled nearly 5,53,000 explosives and 184 major development efforts have also transformed the region. More than 115,000 Maoist camps have been destroyed, 6,66,677 km of roads built, and 1,16,677 villages connected to the mainstream."The fight isn't over until the ideology is rejected in every corner. But this is the closest we've come to ending the insurgency," said Watch
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Another IED defused at blast site in Bastar where cop was killed
Raipur: Maoists had planted another IED device at the site of blast where an additional SP was killed in Konta region of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. The IED device was diffused by security forces during an inspection. A day after the tragic death of ASP Akash Rao Girepunje in an IED blast, Bastar Range inspector general of police P Sundarraj visited the spot and vowed that the police would not relent until Naxalism is eradicated from Bastar. "We have launched an operation to track down the Maoists responsible for Monday morning's attack that has also injured our two officers," IG said. A follow-up search led to the recovery of another IED planted at the site, which was safely defused, he said. Girepunje, 42, who had been serving as ASP of Konta since March last year, was killed when the IED exploded at a stone quarry in the area. His sacrifice was honoured by Sundarraj, who emphasized that the police are prepared to take on the Naxalites with full strength. "We will not stop until Bastar is completely free from Naxalism," said Sundarraj. "The sacrifice of Akash Rao and other martyrs will inspire our mission for peace and prosperity."
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh police vow to eradicate Maoism in Bastar, Bastar IG visits site of blast in Konta
RAIPUR: Maoists had planted another IED at the site of blast where an Additional SP was killed in Konta region in Sukma district, which was defused by security forces during inspection. A day after the tragic death of ASP Akash Rao Girepunje in an IED blast, Bastar Range Inspector General of police P Sundarraj visited the spot and vowed that the police would not relent until Naxalism is eradicated from Bastar. 'We have launched an operation to track down the Maoists responsible for Monday morning's attack that has also injured our two officers,' IG said. An IED planted by Maoists at the same location where blast took place was defused on Monday evening when an investigation team went to the spot for probe. During his visit to the blast site in Konta, IG Sundarraj confirmed that security forces have launched an operation to track down the Naxalites responsible for Monday's attack, which also injured two other officers. A follow-up search led to the recovery of another IED planted at the site, which was safely defused. Girepunje, 42, who had been serving as ASP of Konta since March last year, was killed when the IED exploded at a stone quarry in the area. His sacrifice was honored by Sundarraj, who emphasized that the police are prepared to take on the Naxalites with full strength. 'We will not stop until Bastar is completely free from Naxalism,' said Sundarraj. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: GEERS sucht 700 Testhörer für Hörgeräte ohne Zuzahlung GEERS Undo 'The sacrifice of Akash Rao and other martyrs will inspire our mission for peace and prosperity.' A Bomb Detection and Disposal Team also recovered pressure IED components and debris from the site. Security forces are continuing their search in nearby areas, and authorities have initiated an investigation with an FIR lodged at Konta police station. The IG assured that stringent action would be taken against those responsible for this cowardly act, reaffirming the police's resolve to finish the Naxal threat in the region once and for all.
