Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, visited Netanar village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district to meet the families of soldiers Kalendra Prasad Nayak and Pawan Kumar Mandavi, who were martyred in a Maoist attack in Bijapur. During his visit, Shah inaugurated the “Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera”, a public utility center within the Central Reserve Police Force camp in a former Maoist stronghold.
The region, including districts like Dantewada, Bijapur, Sukma, and Narayanpur, has been a significant Left-Wing Extremism hotspot due to dense forests, tribal population, and historical grievances. Maoists have established control by creating “liberated” zones where they run parallel structures and mobilize armed youth. Security forces and political figures in the Bastar division have been targeted by Maoist attacks to assert dominance and resist state presence.
In recent years, Maoists have strategically timed attacks to disrupt elections and create psychological pressure on the government. Security forces have responded with large-scale operations resulting in the deaths of numerous Maoist cadres and leaders. India’s efforts against Left-Wing Extremism have led to a significant reduction in affected districts and violence, with Bastar being one of the last strongholds. Local security units and government initiatives have played a crucial role in eroding Maoist influence and promoting development in the region.
