Why have Maoists killed again — and why do they repeatedly attack in Chhattisgarh?

Source: The post is based on an article “Why have Maoists killed again — and why do they repeatedly attack in Chhattisgarh?” published in The Indian Express on 27^th April 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Internal Security – Naxalism

Relevance: About Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

News: Ten personnel of the Chhattisgarh Police’s District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the civilian driver of their vehicle were reported killed in an IED attack by Maoists in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

Why have the Maoists carried out the attack in Chhattisgarh now?

The CPI(Maoist) carries out Tactical Counter Offensive Campaigns (TCOCs) between February and June every year, in order to inflict casualties on security forces.

This period is chosen because with the onset of the monsoon in July, it becomes difficult to conduct offensive operations in the jungles due to tall grasses and overflowing nullahs.

What is the current situation of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in the country?

According to the government, Maoist violence in the country has gone down by 77% since 2010. The number of deaths has also come down by 90%.

The government has cut the number of districts declared to be Naxal-affected from over 200 in the early 2000s to just 90 now, and claims that the geographical spread of violence is actually restricted to just 45 districts. 

What is the situation of Maoists in Chhattisgarh?

It is the only state in the country where Maoists continue to have a significant presence and retain the capability to conduct big attacks.

According to government data, in the last five years (2018-22), Chhattisgarh accounted for more than a third of all Maoist-related violence in this period.

However, the numbers of deaths of security forces personnel have risen as well as fallen in this period.

Why does Chhattisgarh continue to remain troubled by Maoists?

Special forces of the local police were raised in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand to fight with Maoists. They played an important role in making these states rid of Maoists.

However, Chhattisgarh did not have any such special forces by that time. Due to which, Maoists from other states moved to Chhattisgarh. This made Chhattisgarh a concentrated zone of Maoist influence.

Moreover, the lack of roads in the interiors of Bastar has hampered security forces’ activities.

There is also minimal presence of the administration in the interiors of South Bastar, allowing Maoists to continue their influence in the region.

Must Read: Tackling the Maoists: On left-wing extremism

How has the Centre responded to help Maoists affected states?

The Centre has supported LWE states through CRPF, Security Related Expenditure (SRE), Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) and Special Central Assistance for building infrastructure such as roads in LWE districts.

In Chhattisgarh, the CRPF has increased its presence by opening new camps in the jungles of South Bastar.

CRPF has also raised a Bastariya Battalion in Chhattisgarh. The recruits for this battalion are taken from the local population, who know the language and terrain, and could generate intelligence.

Further, Centre is pushing for the erection of mobile towers in the interiors, which would help the local people connect with the mainstream, and also generate technical intelligence.

The Centre has also used the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Enforcement Directorate to target CPI(Maoist) cadres, leaders, and supporters in order to stop their finances.