The Bastar division of Chhattisgarh is now seeing the first rays of development after decades of bloodshed, fear, and stagnation under the shadow of Maoist terror. Long considered a hotbed of Maoists, Bastar is now scripting a new narrative of peace, resilience, and rapid transformation under the decisive leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and the relentless counter-insurgency operations carried out by India’s security forces.
The turning point came on May 21 2025, deep inside Abujhmad, a long-inaccessible forest zone that once served as the Maoist “liberated zone” and ideological command centre. In a meticulously planned operation, security forces neutralised 26 hardcore Maoists, including Basav Raju, the General Secretary of CPI (Maoist) and one of the most senior figures in the Maoist hierarchy.
With a bounty of Rs. 3.25 crore, Raju’s death represents the most significant blow to the Maoist movement since its inception. His elimination is being described by intelligence sources as “the beheading of the Maoist monster.” Never before in India’s 40-year battle with Maoism has a Maoist of such rank and influence been killed in combat.
Just two weeks later, on June 5 2025, another top-level insurgent, Lakshmi Narasimha Chalam alias Sudhakar, was eliminated by police forces in the National Park area. With a reward of Rs. 1 crore, Sudhakar was a key strategist in the Maoist military wing. These twin operations have broken the spine of Maoist leadership in Chhattisgarh and triggered widespread panic in the Maoist ranks.
“Maoism is breathing its last”: CM Vishnu Dev Sai
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has declared that Maoism in Chhattisgarh is on its deathbed, asserting, “We will not sit quiet until the last traces of red terror are wiped out. The unparalleled courage and sacrifice of our security forces will be remembered as the force that broke the back of Maoism.”
Backing this tough stance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his recent visit to Chhattisgarh on June 22 2025, vowed that Maoists would not find shelter even during the monsoon, a season when Maoists typically regroup. “This rainy season, it is the Maoists who will be sleepless,” Shah said, indicating year-round operations will continue until complete eradication.
Record Success in Counter-Maoist Operations
The figures speak volumes. In the last 18 months, Chhattisgarh’s security forces have:
- Killed 438 Maoists
- Arrested 1,515
- Facilitated the surrender of 1,476
The synergy between central paramilitary forces, Chhattisgarh Police, and specialised anti-Maoist units like DRG (District Reserve Guard) and Bastar Fighters is finally bearing fruit. But it isn’t just military action that’s creating impact—it’s the convergence of the gun with governance.
The Development Doctrine: Winning Minds, Not Just Battles
The Sai government is not relying solely on bullets. Realising that sustainable peace comes from inclusive development, the administration has launched a multi-pronged civil transformation strategy anchored by the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ (Your Good Village) scheme.
This flagship initiative has turned security camps into development nuclei. Within a 5-kilometre radius of each new camp, the government is delivering services through 59 welfare schemes, spanning 17 departments. Among these are:
- Pucca houses
- Fully equipped PHCs and ambulances
- Bridges, water tanks, and solar-powered electrification
- Schools, anganwadis, and e-learning centres
- Interest-free education loans for tribal students pursuing technical and vocational education
Already, dozens of remote tribal villages that were once Maoist dens are now accessing basic amenities for the first time in living memory.
Poorvarti Village
Perhaps no story illustrates this transition more starkly than that of Poorvarti village in Sukma. Once considered an impenetrable Maoist bastion—home to dreaded commander Hidma (still absconding) and Deva, the mastermind behind the Tekalguda camp ambush—Poorvarti was long outside the reach of governance.
Now, with the establishment of a security camp in the heart of Poorvarti, government departments have moved in with speed and resolve. What was once a symbol of lawlessness is now a laboratory of rural transformation. Roads that were once mined are being tarred. Women are returning to the markets. Children, who once served as Maoist couriers, are now enrolled in schools.
For decades, Maoists used fear to choke not only development but culture.
- Schools were destroyed.
- Children were indoctrinated.
- Tribal customs were militarised.
- Women were abducted and weaponised.
- Villagers who collaborated with the state were executed as “informers.”
As a result, Bastar, with its vibrant tribal dialects (Halbi, Bhatri, Godi, Dolri) and ancient cultural heritage, became a psychological prison.
But 2025 is rewriting the story. The success of mass events like the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum shows that the region is reconnecting with its roots. Cultural identity, once suppressed by the barrel of Maoist guns, is now celebrated with pride and colour.
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