Naxal threat in Chhattisgarh

Armed struggles to seize power are outdated ideologies. For decades, various extremist groups in different states have attempted to overthrow established governments through armed insurgencies, operating under various garbs. Security forces have successfully eradicated extremists from most regions. However, extremist groups remain active in parts of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Maoist presence is evident even in Kerala's hill regions. These extremist groups occasionally clash with security personnel without any specific reason.

28 Naxalites were gunned down in a fierce encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh on Friday after the latter had launched an operation based on intelligence inputs about Naxal's presence in two villages. The Maoists suffered the most casualties in the encounter. The exchange of fire between the two sides lasted for hours. Following the operation, security forces recovered a large cache of arms, including sophisticated firearms, from the Naxalites' hideouts. The seven districts of the Bastar region are notorious Maoist hotbeds. This year alone, 220 Maoists have been killed in encounters with security forces. Additionally, 21 security personnel and over 50 civilians have fallen victim to Maoist violence. According to the Home Ministry's data, 4,550 Maoists and 2,689 security personnel have been killed in encounters over the past 15 years. These statistics reveal the gravity and severity of the Maoist threat facing the country.

The central government has been spending large sums of money for years to combat all types of extremist groups, including Maoists, across the country. However, it's no secret that extremist groups are receiving funding from foreign powers. Enemy forces have clandestine plans to destabilize India's established institutions by providing arms and funds to destructive forces like these extremist organizations. This is not something that is even remotely acceptable to any government. Naxalism, which originated in West Bengal, had lost its steam several years ago. It later spread to various parts of the country. The country witnessed how those who tried to instigate revolution by using innocent tribal communities in forest areas as pawns, ultimately failed to make headway and lost ground.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's declaration that Chhattisgarh will be completely freed from Maoists by next March is noteworthy. To achieve this, additional security forces from neighbouring districts were deployed to Chhattisgarh. With the commencement of widespread searches, encounters have become frequent. Eradicating Maoism cannot be achieved solely through ongoing anti-Maoist operations. There are underlying reasons behind the rise of extremism and the influx of extremists. Occult forces are present everywhere to covertly and overtly help the forces destabilizing the country. Destructive forces thrive in areas where development has not yet reached. The massive funds allocated by central and state governments for development initiatives are often siphoned off by intermediaries, officials, politicians, and others. This diversion of funds has paved the way for extremists to infiltrate and exploit vulnerable tribal and forest regions across the country. All this has started to change in recent years. Peace and tranquillity will prevail in the country only when the results of development reach the people at the bottom.