New Delhi: Security forces are continuously conducting operations against Naxalites in Chhattisgarh. Forces have achieved a historic feat in the encounter in border areas of Narayanpur, Bijapur, Dantewada.
While analysing this in his special show “The MTA Speaks”, the country’s veteran journalist, Manoj Tibrewal Aakash, said during the operation, bodies of 27 Naxalites including top Naxal leader Basava Raju and a large quantity of weapons have been recovered. It is estimated that several Maoists have been seriously injured during the operation.
DRG jawan was martyred during the encounter, while bravely fighting the Naxalite attack. Several other jawans have been injured during. All the injured people are out of danger and search operation is underway.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have praised the valor of the soldiers. The security forces today attacked the Naxalites in Narayanpur and Bijapur areas. Top Naxal leader Basava Raju has also been killed in this action against the Naxalites. Basava Raju has been a notorious Naxalite and there is a reward of Rs1.5 crore on his head.
History Of Basava Raju
In 2018, Basava Raju was given the command of the Naxal organization. Basava Raju’s real name is Nambala Keshav Rao. He is also known as Gaganna, Prakash and BR. His father’s name is Vasudev Rao and he is quite old. His age is said to be around 75 years. He studied B.Tech and he was a resident of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. Vasava Raju was a dreaded Naxalite. He was a senior cadre of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and was the Chief of the South Bastar Divisional Committee. Raju was active on the borders of Chhattisgarh, Odisha to Andhra Pradesh. On the success of security forces in Chhattisgarh and the killing of 27 Naxalites, PM Modi said that we are proud of our military forces. Our government is committed to eliminating the threat of Maoism and ensuring a peaceful and progressive life for our people.
Home Minister Amit Shah On X
Home Minister Amit Shah said that a historic achievement has been achieved in the fight to eliminate Naxalism. In an operation in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, our security forces have killed 27 dreaded Maoists, including CPI-Maoist General Secretary, top leader and the backbone of the Naxal movement Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju. This is the first time in three decades of India’s fight against Naxalism that a general secretary level leader has been killed by our forces. I praise our brave security forces and agencies for this major success. It is also a pleasure to inform that after the completion of Operation Black Forest, 54 Naxalites have been arrested in Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Maharashtra and 84 Naxalites have surrendered. The Modi government is determined to end Naxalism before 31 March 2026.
Background Of Naxal Movement
Naxal movement started in 1967 from Naxalbari village in West Bengal. There the farmers revolted with the support of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) demanding land reform. This is where the term “Naxalism” originated. This movement gradually turned into an ideological battle, in which class-equality, land reform, and armed struggle against government structures were made the main weapons. The main causes of Naxalism are considered to include social, economic, political and administrative inequality. Especially the people of the poor and exploited class, who are deprived of justice and development, are influenced by this ideology and join the movement. Kanu Sanyal, considered the father of the Naxal movement in India, started this movement in 1967. He had traveled to China with his three companions, where he was influenced by Mao’s ideology. Although Mao himself had advised him not to copy that ideology in India. Despite this, Kanu Sanyal was deeply influenced by Mao’s thinking of “power by force”.
Today, when the security forces are fighting a decisive battle to end Naxalism, it is as important to understand the past, roots and social structure of this movement as it is to strengthen the path of peace and development for the future. As of 2024, the states currently affected by Naxalism are now Naxal violence is mainly confined to select districts of 7 states:
Chhattisgarh (South Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur etc.) – most affected
Jharkhand (Palamu, Latehar, Garhwa, Chatra, Giridih etc.)
Bihar (Gaya, Aurangabad, Jamui, Lakhisarai)
Odisha (Kandhmal, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Koraput etc.)
Maharashtra (Gadchiroli, Gondia, Chandrapur)
Telangana (some border areas – Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem)
Andhra Pradesh (some limited forest areas of Eastern Ghats – Visakhapatnam Agency area)
Other states previously affected by Naxalism which are now almost free:
West Bengal (West Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia – now calm)
Uttar Pradesh (Sonbhadra, Chandauli – now under control) in)
Madhya Pradesh (Balaghat – now weak influence)
Kerala (forests of Wayanad, Palakkad – now nominal presence)
Special Information
In 2010, 223 districts of India had Naxal influence.
This number has come down to about 45 districts by 2023-24.
The Home Ministry has declared the Naxal-affected areas as “extremely weak”.
Major Attacks
Naxalites in India have carried out many major and well-known attacks over the decades, in which security forces personnel, policemen, officials as well as civilians have been affected. Here is a description of some major and historical Naxalite attacks, from which the seriousness and dangerous nature of the Naxalite movement can be understood:
1. Jagdalpur Bus Attack (2010)
Date: 24 May 2010
Location: Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh
Naxalites attacked a bus carrying hundreds of people. More than 70 people, mostly civilians, were killed in this attack. This attack was considered the most dangerous at that time. Many innocent people including women and children were injured in this attack.
2. Dantewada Police Camp Attack (2010)
Date: 6 April 2010
Location: Dantewada, Chhattisgarh
About 300 Naxalites ambushed the police camp. About 76 security personnel were martyred in this attack. This attack is considered to be the biggest and deadliest attack against the police force.
3. Sukma encounter attack (2017)
Date: 24 April 2017
Location: Sukma, Chhattisgarh
The Naxalites ambushed the police party in which 25 soldiers were martyred. This incident was called the most complex and organized attack.
4. Sukma IED blast (2021)
Date: 13 March 2021
Location: Sukma, Chhattisgarh
The Naxalites targeted the CRPF vehicle by detonating an IED. 22 soldiers were martyred in this attack. This attack was the biggest in Chhattisgarh after many years.
5. Gadchiroli attack (2019)
Date: 1 April 2019
Location: Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
The Naxalites opened fire on the security forces in which many soldiers were injured, as well as some Naxalites were killed.
6. Attack in Bhandara district of Maharashtra (2018)
Date: 15 June 2018
Place: Bhandara, Maharashtra
Naxalites attacked a police party in which 2 policemen were martyred.
Total Figures And Information:
• More than 2000 security personnel and policemen have been martyred in Naxalite attacks in the last 20 years.
• The number of civilians killed is also in several hundreds, especially in the affected areas of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Bihar.
• About 300-400 Naxalites have also been killed in encounters with security forces.
Naxal attacks have often been deadly and large-scale, aimed at disrupting security forces and development work. This violence has also severely affected the socio-economic development of Naxal-affected areas. However, Naxal attacks have decreased in the last few years due to the government’s continuous strict campaign.