Recent Maoist Activities in Bastar: A Report

Communist Party of India (Maoist) have been in the state Chhattisgarh since the late 1960s; spreading their maoist ideologies and being a huge threat to the internal security since the very beginning.

To tackle this problem of Maoists, the government has assigned Security Forces in most Naxal-affected areas. These areas are in the regions of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Since the recent years the Security Forces and the Local Police have been quite successful at keeping the Naxalites at bay and protecting the villagers from the threats of CPI(M).

However, the Naxalites have always been notoriously unpredictable. They come out every few months, cause a ruckus, threaten villagers and disappear into the forests.

One of the recent commotions caused by the Maoists is the kidnapping of 50 villagers along with the former Sarpanch of Kutru village, a village in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

The people had gone to worship their deities on the hills of Kuprel village. The villagers were released in the evening of the same day while the former Sarpanch, Mahesh Gota, was found after a day, heavily injured and covered in blood near the Somanpally area of Bijapur. The abduction took place on August 20, 2023.

Gota was also abducted by the Naxals before along with his father and brother in the year 2012. Mahesh Gota was released but his father and brother were killed. Mahesh Gota’s daughter, Divyani Gota was seen appealing to the Naxals in a video to release her father in the recent kidnapping.

Naxalites have been killing the head of villages and the villagers since years, believing them to be Police informers.

Last year, in 2022, the Maoists abducted and killed 36-year-old Ratiram Kudiyam, Sarpanch of Mormed village in the Toynar region of Bijapur, In 2020, Naxals were behind the abduction and the killing of Baldev Tati, husband of Sundari Tati, a candidate of Kadenar Village Sarpanch.

In the year 2015, Somli Tati, former Sarpanch of Todka Village Panchayat was abducted and was later found lying in his own pool of blood near his native area. This crime was also performed by the Naxalites.

The Naxalites perform such heinous crimes to establish dominance and fear amongst the powerless, in this case, the villagers. They perform crimes to serve a reminder to the locals that the Maoists still exist and are still as powerful as ever.

However, the hold of Naxalites has weakened in many areas throughout the years. This is due to the courage of villagers, surrender of many Naxals and activeness of protection forces.

On August 21, 2023, an exchange of fire occurred between Naxalites and the Security Forces under the region of Orchha Police Station in Naranyanpur, Chhattisgarh.

Discovery and recovery of a body of a Naxal Cadre was made by the Police through Search Operation which succeeded the firing. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the possession of the Naxals during the operation.

Before the incident, a Naxal couple, Muchaki Galle and Muchaki Bhima had surrendered to the Police stating discrimination against them in the Maoist group was the reason of their surrender. The female amongst the couple was carrying a cash reward of Rupees one-lakh on her head.

The terrorist organisation, CPI(Maoist) and its members have been a nuisance for the country and its security since years. With the help of the Police Force, Security Forces and Villagers, the Government is trying to get in the problem in control and dissipate it for the betterment of people and the country.

Report by




Mansi Dixit
She is a vibrant intern at The Narrative.
A Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, Mansi finds her creative haven in non-fiction.