The insurgency, which began in 1967 with the Naxalbari uprising, reached its peak in the late 2000s, affecting nearly 180 districts. The Modi government, as announced by Home Minister Amit Shah, is firm on addressing the insurgency by 2026.Shah has declared that the number of LWE-affected districts has now come down to only six.
This move recalls the 2004 peace talks initiated by the late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, then Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, and his Home Minister K. Jana Reddy. The talks, held at Praja Bhavan, were seen as an experimental approach to resolving the conflict. However, many key leaders from that time are no longer alive.
On March 29, 2025, a significant encounter unfolded in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 Naxalites and minor injuries to two security personnel. The operation, conducted by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), marks a critical step in the ongoing fight against Naxalite insurgency in the region.
A four-page letter found in his possession detailed the recruitment of minors, raising serious ethical and humanitarian concerns. The letter reportedly disclosed that 25 individuals were recruited from Indravati zone and another 130 from a different location. Among these recruits, 65 were children aged 12 to 13, while 40 were between 14 and 17 years old.
The encounter resulted in the deaths of two security personnel, one from the District Reserve Guard and the other from the Special Task Force. Two other jawans were injured and airlifted to Raipur for medical treatment. The injured personnel are reported to be out of danger.
Life in Bastar has been severely disrupted, with fear becoming a constant companion for the local population. The frequent encounters and the looming threat of violence have created an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. The police have vowed to continue their operations, aiming to restore peace and stability in the region.
