In Chhattisgarh state, Indian security forces have launched a full-scale war against Maoist fighters, aiming to eradicate long-standing armed rebellions in the mineral-rich tribal region. The Karrigatta hills forest, spanning Chhattisgarh and Telangana states, has become a battleground with over 10,000 soldiers involved in the anti-Maoist operation called “Operation Zero or Kagar.” The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has escalated security measures, resulting in the deaths of over 200 Maoist rebels this year, including 27 on Wednesday, including the group’s leader. Activists raise concerns that many of those killed are innocent Adivasis, urging the government to seek a peaceful resolution through dialogue with the rebels. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 11,000 civilians and security personnel since 2000. The government’s tough approach raises questions about whether it will bring peace or further marginalize the already vulnerable Adivasis.
The Maoist movement in India traces back to a 1967 rural uprising in Naxalbari, West Bengal, led by communist leaders demanding justice for the rural poor. Inspired by Mao Zedong’s revolutionary ideology, the Naxal rebels waged a violent rebellion against India’s security forces in central and eastern mineral-rich regions. Despite facing government suppression, the movement evolved, splintering into various factions like the CPI(ML) and the Communist Party of India (Maoist), the largest armed Maoist group today. The BJP government in Chhattisgarh has intensified its campaign against Maoists, with a significant increase in alleged Maoist casualties since coming to power. Security forces are actively targeting Maoist hideouts in the Karigatta Hills, with the aim of eradicating Naxalism by 2026. The government has deployed a substantial number of security personnel in the Bastar region, where the conflict is concentrated. The individuals involved in the security operations include security forces and technical staff. Security camps are equipped with surveillance and communication equipment to aid in operations against rebels. The local police force, consisting of 20,000 members, is also assisting in operations in Bastar. Advanced technology, such as drones with high-definition cameras and thermal imaging sensors, is being used by security forces to monitor Maoist activity in the dense forests of the region. Despite allegations from local villagers and Maoist groups of aerial bombings and air strikes, security forces have consistently denied these accusations. Home Minister Shah has made frequent visits to Chhattisgarh, spending nights with security forces in Bastar. The previous government, led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, also took a strong stance against Naxals, referring to Naxalism as the greatest internal security threat to India. The government launched “Operation Green Hunt” in 2009 to suppress the armed rebellion, resulting in a reduction of Maoist-controlled areas. The Red Corridor, consisting of mineral-rich tribal areas across several states, saw a decrease in Maoist influence from 126 districts in 2013 to 38 by April of the following year. Despite the government claiming success in its military offensive, human rights groups like the PUCL have accused security forces of carrying out fake encounters and extrajudicial killings. The recruitment of former Maoists in government forces has been criticized due to concerns about past rights violations by Adivasis enlisted as Special Police Officers. The policy of using surrendered Maoists in combat instead of rehabilitating them has also been questioned by campaigners. Lawyer and human rights activist Priyanka Shukla informed Al Jazeera that tribal youth involved in violence were once again given guns under the guise of rehabilitation. Former Member of Parliament Arvind Netam described Bastar as being in a state of civil war, with the tribals bearing the brunt of the suffering.
Netam, a tribal leader, pointed out that in conflicts involving Maoists or the DRG, both the perpetrator and the victim are often tribal individuals. Critics have raised concerns about Chhattisgarh’s rehabilitation policy, which offers rewards and cash incentives that may encourage people to turn against each other for financial gain, sometimes based on legally questionable accusations.
Despite the government intensifying its offensive, it continues to extend peace talks to Maoists, urging them to come forward for dialogue within the framework of the Indian Constitution. However, the Maoists insist on a ceasefire and withdrawal of paramilitary forces before engaging in talks, arguing that peace negotiations and military actions cannot occur simultaneously.
Adivasi social activist Soni Sori emphasized the need for the government to take the lead in peace talks, as opposed to turning Bastar into a warzone. The targeting of activists, academics, and students as Naxal sympathizers has raised concerns about human rights violations in the region.
While the government emphasizes Naxal eradication as a crucial mission for securing the future of Bastar and Chhattisgarh, critics argue that the government should prioritize dialogue and meaningful steps towards peace talks. The ongoing conflict in the region has led to the imprisonment and targeting of individuals perceived as Naxal sympathizers, raising questions about the government’s approach to resolving the conflict.
The debate over the real motives behind the conflict, particularly regarding the exploitation of natural resources like iron ore, underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region. The government’s emphasis on security and development as intertwined priorities is contrasted with concerns about the impact of mining activities on local communities and the environment.
As the conflict continues to unfold, questions remain about the underlying reasons for the violence and the potential for lasting peace in the region. Dia bangga bahwa Chhattisgarh menempati peringkat kedua di antara negara-negara penghasil mineral [setelah Odisha], menghasilkan sekitar 14,19 miliar rupee ($1,71 miliar) tahun lalu.
Tahun ini, negara tersebut telah mengalokasikan 48 blok mineral utama kepada perusahaan swasta di negara tersebut.
Tetapi kemiskinan massal dan kurangnya fasilitas kesehatan dasar mengekspos klaim pemerintah.
Netam, pemimpin suku, menunjukkan bahwa negara tersebut memiliki tingkat kematian bayi hampir 38 per 1.000 kelahiran hidup, dibandingkan dengan tingkat kematian bayi nasional sebesar 28 per 1.000 kelahiran hidup.
Di Bastar, katanya, kemiskinan mencapai 80 persen.
Juru bicara oposisi Kongres Sushil Anand Shukla mengklaim bahwa di bawah kedok pertambangan, persiapan sedang dilakukan untuk sepenuhnya menggusur suku-suku dari Bastar.
“Hari ini, Bastar berada di ambang perang, dan jawabannya tidak dapat ditemukan dengan melihat ke masa lalu. Pemerintah harus berhenti menyerahkan diri kepada perusahaan-perusahaan korporasi dan pertambangan dengan biaya menggusur suku-suku,” kata Sushil Anand Shukla.
“Ide menghasilkan pendapatan dengan mengorbankan nyawa suku adalah berbahaya dan tidak konstitusional,” katanya kepada Al Jazeera.