14 Maoists killed in twin encounters in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar; 12 in Sukma, two in Bijapur

The recent killing of 14 Maoists in twin encounters across Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, specifically in Sukma and Bijapur districts, marks a significant development in India's ongoing battle against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). This operation, which also saw the elimination of top Maoist leaders Mangtu and Hunga Madkam, underscores the persistent internal security challenges faced by the Indian state in the 'Red Corridor'. To truly grasp its implications, one must delve into the historical context, the complex interplay of stakeholders, and the broader ramifications for India.

Left-Wing Extremism, often referred to as Naxalism or Maoism, originated from the Naxalbari village in West Bengal in 1967. Initially an agrarian revolt led by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal, it advocated for the rights of landless labourers and tribals against feudal landlords and state exploitation. Over decades, this ideology morphed into a violent armed struggle, primarily driven by the Communist Party of India (Maoist) – formed in 2004 through the merger of various Naxalite factions. Their objective is to overthrow the Indian state through a protracted people's war, establishing a 'revolutionary' government. The movement thrives in remote, underdeveloped, and tribal-dominated regions, exploiting grievances related to land alienation, lack of governance, displacement due to development projects, and forest rights issues.

The recent encounters are a testament to the intensified efforts by security forces to curb the influence of Maoists. The Bastar region, encompassing districts like Sukma and Bijapur, is a traditional stronghold for the CPI (Maoist) due to its dense forests, challenging terrain, and a significant tribal population. The operation involved coordinated intelligence gathering and tactical execution by various security agencies, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), its elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) unit, and the Chhattisgarh Police. These forces are the primary stakeholders on the government's side, tasked with maintaining law and order and neutralizing extremist threats. On the other side are the Maoist cadres, led by their central committee, who continue to recruit from marginalized communities, often through coercion or by promising social justice.

This incident matters profoundly for India's internal security and developmental trajectory. LWE is one of the gravest threats to India's integrity, often cited by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the 'single biggest internal security challenge'. The presence of Maoists impedes governance, disrupts developmental activities like road construction, school building, and healthcare access, and creates a climate of fear among the local populace. Economically, these regions remain backward, deterring investment and perpetuating a cycle of poverty and exploitation that Maoists leverage for recruitment. Politically, the state's authority is challenged, and democratic processes are undermined. Socially, tribal populations are often caught between the state and the Maoists, facing violence and human rights abuses from both sides.

From a constitutional perspective, the maintenance of public order and police falls under Entry 1 and Entry 2 of the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule. However, the Union Government plays a crucial role, especially in LWE-affected states, as mandated by Article 355, which states that it is the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance. Laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, are invoked to deal with terrorist and unlawful activities. Furthermore, policies like the Special Central Assistance (SCA) to LWE affected districts and the Aspirational Districts Program aim to address the root causes of extremism by accelerating development. Acts such as the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996, and the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, are critical in addressing tribal grievances and empowering local self-governance, thereby countering Maoist narratives of exploitation.

The future implications of such encounters are multi-faceted. While the elimination of top leaders can temporarily disrupt Maoist command structures and morale, the underlying socio-economic issues persist. The government's strategy is a multi-pronged approach: robust security operations to contain and weaken the Maoists, coupled with accelerated development and good governance to win the 'hearts and minds' of the local populace. This includes improving infrastructure, providing livelihood opportunities, and ensuring the delivery of essential services. However, challenges remain, including effective intelligence gathering, preventing civilian casualties, and ensuring that developmental benefits reach the intended beneficiaries without diversion. The long-term goal is to integrate these regions into the national mainstream, reducing the space for extremist ideologies to flourish and ensuring peace and prosperity for all citizens.