At least 22 Maoist rebels were confirmed dead in the jungles of central India during a series of clashes on Thursday, marking one of the most significant confrontations in the ongoing efforts by the Indian government to quell the protracted insurgency. This violence unfolded in Chhattisgarh state, where over 10,000 lives have been lost over the years due to what is known as the “Naxalite” rebellion. The insurgents claim to fight for the rights of marginalized populations in resource-rich areas of central India.
The confrontations occurred in two separate skirmishes throughout the day, resulting in the death of an Indian paramilitary soldier alongside the rebels. According to police reports, the initial clash transpired shortly after dawn in Bijapur district, leading to the deaths of 18 guerrillas. In a second encounter in the southern part of the state, four additional rebels lost their lives. Security forces are still conducting searches at both locations and have recovered significant caches of arms and ammunition.
Interior Minister Amit Shah announced the results of these military operations on the social media platform X, highlighting the government’s commitment to an aggressive stance against the insurgency. He emphasized the Modi government’s intention to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards Naxalites who refuse to surrender, stating, “The (Narendra) Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against Naxalites.”
The Maoists, termed Naxalites due to the origin of their armed campaign in the Naxalbari district in 1967, draw inspiration from the ideologies of the Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong. Shah has previously asserted that the government aims to eradicate the remnants of this insurgency by the end of March next year. In 2022, a crackdown led by security forces resulted in the death of approximately 287 rebels, predominantly in Chhattisgarh. This year, over 80 Maoists had reportedly been killed, according to a tally from the Press Trust of India news agency.
The demands of the Maoists revolve around securing land, jobs, and a fair distribution of the region’s considerable natural resources for local communities. The movement has historically gained ground in various remote areas across India’s east and south, reaching its peak in strength and numbers during the early 2000s. In response, the Indian government deployed tens of thousands of troops to establish control over a region colloquially referred to as the “Red Corridor.” This ongoing conflict has also witnessed numerous deadly attacks on government forces, including a roadside bombing in January that claimed the lives of at least nine Indian troops.
