Indian Forces Kill 29 in Anti-Maoist Operation in Chhattisgarh Ahead of Elections

Raipur, In a significant escalation of violence in Chhattisgarh, Indian troops have killed at least 29 people, identified by officials as members of the CPI Maoist, during a cordon and search operation in the state’s Binagunda area, under the jurisdiction of Chotebetiya police station in Kanker district.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the operation involved Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and occurred just days before the Lok Sabha polls scheduled in Bastar district on April 19. The presence of over 60,000 Indian forces’ personnel has been reported in the district, highlighted by Bastar’s Inspector General Sundarraj P.

Indian officials have stated that the individuals were engaged in a “fierce exchange of gunfire” with the forces. The official spokesperson noted, “Operation is still in progress, and until now, bodies of 29 CPI Maoist cadres who have been recovered from the place of occurrence.” Among the deceased is believed to be Shankar Rao, a top Maoist leader.

This operation follows a recent visit to Khairagarh in Chhattisgarh by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, who reportedly gave the forces a free hand to act against CPI Maoists. So far this year, the ongoing operations have resulted in the deaths of 50 Maoists in the state, which has long been affected by violence linked to the Maoist insurgency demanding independence from what they consider Indian hegemony.

The timing and scale of the operation have raised concerns about the impact on the upcoming elections, with fears that it might exacerbate tensions in the already volatile region.