Chhattisgarh

• 13 Dec 2024

Maoists Encounter in Chhattisgarh

Why in News? 

Recently, Seven Maoists were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Abujhmad forests along the Dantewada-Narayanpur border in Chhattisgarh. 

 Key Points 

• Major Anti-Maoist Operation: 
  • Forces Involved: The operation was executed by the District Reserve Guard (DRG) from Kondagaon, Bastar, Narayanpur, and Dantewada, along with the State’s Special Task Force (STF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). 
  • Focus Area: The operation targeted Abujhmad, a dense forested region covering Bijapur, Dantewada, and Narayanpur districts, known for Maoist activity. 
    • In October 2024, Abujhmad witnessed the largest-ever encounter in Chhattisgarh’s history, resulting in the deaths of 38 Maoists. 
  • Recovered Items: A large cache of weapons and daily-use items was seized, while no casualties were reported among the security forces. 
  • Yearly Progress: Police records show that since 13th December 2023, 217 Maoists have been killed in Bastar, nearly half in Abujhmad under the Maad Bachao Aandolan (Save Maad Campaign). 

 District Reserve Guard (DRG) 

• The District Reserve Guard (DRG) is a specialized police unit in Chhattisgarh, established in 2008 to combat Maoist violence. 
• It consists of specially trained personnel operating in affected districts, conducting anti-Maoist operations, search and seizure, and gathering intelligence. 
• The DRG collaborates with other security forces, like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), to counter the Maoist insurgency.