In a significant operation against Maoist insurgents, security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district killed 31 Naxalites on Sunday. The encounter also resulted in the deaths of two security personnel, with two others sustaining injuries.
The gunfight occurred in the dense forests near the Chhattisgarh-Maharashtra border, within the Indravati National Park area. A joint team comprising the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and its elite unit, the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), launched the operation based on intelligence about the presence of Maoist cadres from the ‘West Bastar division’.
This encounter comes just a week after security forces neutralized eight Maoists in the same district. On January 31, a joint team of security personnel engaged in an anti-Maoist operation in Bijapur, resulting in the deaths of eight insurgents.
The recent operations align with the central government’s commitment to eradicate Naxalism by 2026. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reiterated this resolve following a tragic incident where an IED blast by Maoists claimed the lives of eight DRG jawans and a driver in Bijapur.
Chhattisgarh has been a focal point in the battle against Maoist insurgency. The state has witnessed intensified anti-Naxal operations, leading to significant successes. In a recent operation, security forces killed 12 Maoists in Bijapur’s National Park area ahead of the Panchayat elections.
The government has also introduced new surrender policies to encourage Maoists to lay down arms. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced plans for a revised surrender policy, aiming to facilitate the rehabilitation of former insurgents.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Human rights groups have called for judicial probes into recent encounters, alleging that innocent villagers were killed in staged confrontations. The Chhattisgarh police have linked these claims to the setbacks suffered by Maoists and their sympathizers in their stronghold areas.
The ongoing conflict underscores the complex dynamics between security operations and human rights considerations. As the government intensifies its efforts to eliminate Maoist insurgency, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of security personnel and civilians while addressing the root causes of the rebellion.
