Bastar victims call for an end to decades of Maoist violence, met Union Home Minister to seek solutions
20th September 2024, New Delhi: Under the guidance of the “Bastar Shanti Samiti,” more than 50 survivors of Maoist violence gathered at Constitution Club in New Delhi for a press conference, titled “Kenza Naxali – Manwa Mata” (Listen Naxalites – Hear Our Story), to share their pain and suffering. They narrated how their lives have been turned into a living hell due to the Maoist insurgency.
A day ago, they also met Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, who convinced them that all possible actions will be taken to restore peace in the region. Later, on the popular social media platform X, Mr. Shah stated, “I am deeply moved after interacting with the brothers and sisters affected by Naxalite violence in Chhattisgarh. I assure all of you that the Modi Government is committed to eradicating Naxalism completely within two years and restoring peace in your region.”
Lambasting on Naxalites, he added, “Naxalism follows the ideology of destruction and violence. Hiding behind the guise of human rights to garner sympathy for themselves has been a consistent strategy of the Naxalites. The wounds of those affected by the violence in Naxal-impacted areas are living symbols of the inhumanity and brutality of Naxalism.”
For the past four decades, the people of Bastar, Chhattisgarh, have been living under the shadow of Maoist terror, which has deeply affected the lives of millions in the region. Thousands of innocent villagers have lost their lives due to Maoist violence, while those who have survived bear the scars of trauma, having lost limbs and been left disabled. These victims, still living under the looming threat of Maoist terrorism, have now come to Delhi seeking justice and demanding the liberation of Bastar from the grip of Maoism.
To illustrate the plight of Bastar’s residents, two stories were shared during the press conference, shedding light on the harsh realities faced by the people living there. Guddu Ram Lekam, an 18-year-old tribal villager from Kachilwar, under Naimed police station in Bijapur district, used to pick chilies near the Telangana border for his livelihood. On March 11, 2024, while returning to his village on foot, Guddu Ram stepped on an IED planted by Maoists, resulting in severe injuries. His right foot was blown off, and he suffered injuries to his legs and hands, ultimately losing one leg. Despite being in critical condition, Maoists prevented his proper treatment and held him captive until local authorities intervened to save his life.
A similar story is that of 22-year-old Madavi Nanda from Bijapur, who lost his right leg after stepping on an IED planted by Maoists while relieving himself near Toyanala. Nanda’s right leg had to be amputated below the knee.
These tragic stories are not mere incidents but reflect the suffering of thousands of villagers in Bastar, who continue to endure Maoist terror. The “Bastar Shanti Samiti” emphasized that Maoism has become a cancer in the region over the past four decades, stalling development and destroying the lives and futures of generations of Bastar residents. The insurgency has not only claimed lives but has left the region trapped in fear, with Bastar being widely recognized as a land soaked in blood and terror.
Jairam Das, a representative of the Bastar Shanti Samiti, presented statistics revealing that over the past two and a half decades, more than 8,000 villagers have been killed by Maoists, while thousands more have been left disabled by landmines and IEDs. Many tribal villagers have lost limbs, their eyesight, or their hearing as a result of Maoist violence, a tragedy that affects not only the youth and men but also women, the elderly, and even children.
Mangru Ram Kawde, speaking at the press conference, highlighted the misconception that Maoists came to Bastar to protect the rights of the tribal communities. He stressed that these claims are entirely baseless. Instead of bringing development, Maoists have destroyed schools, targeted hospitals, and killed innocent villagers under the pretext of fighting for the rights of the tribal people. The Maoists have kept Bastar underdeveloped and backward to maintain their control over the region and its people.
The victims from Bastar have come to Delhi to demand freedom from this violence. They want the nation to understand their pain and find a solution to the terror that has plagued their lives for decades. Their plea is simple; like other parts of the country, they too deserve to live freely, without the constant fear of bombs and violence.
The “Bastar Shanti Samiti” urges that immediate action be taken to liberate Bastar from Maoist terror. The people of Bastar deserve to live in peace, with the democratic rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution lighting the way forward for every village in the region.
