In the ongoing anti-Naxal campaign, there are about 1,000 armed Naxalites active in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, posing a significant challenge for the government. Captured Naxalites have informed the police that new recruitments among the Naxal ranks have come to a halt. Many of the older and senior members are either surrendering or getting arrested.
Intelligence reports indicate that a year ago, there were around 2,500 Naxalites in Bastar. Over the past 13 months, security forces have managed to eliminate more than 220 Naxalites. The captured Naxalites have also mentioned that recruitment has stopped, leading to frustration among their ranks. However, experts believe that in addition to the active Naxalites, there are about 4,000 Naxal supporters and underground workers in the region.
On Monday, in Bijapur district, Naxalites planted an IED that exploded, targeting a vehicle of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), resulting in the deaths of eight DRG soldiers and one driver. This incident has highlighted the need to boost the morale of the troops in Bastar. The local community in Bastar has launched a campaign against the Naxalites, vowing to end their presence, even at the cost of their own lives. During a tribute ceremony, the families of the fallen soldiers were visibly emotional, having lost sons, husbands, brothers, and fathers.
Among those who sacrificed their lives in the Ambeli blast were Baman Sodhi, Dumma Madkami, and Budharam Korsa. They were once Naxalites but chose to surrender and joined the police to fight against their former comrades. Baman Sodhi’s wife, Rambati, is currently one month pregnant. He had surrendered in 2019 and joined the police as a covert soldier. Dumma Madkami’s wife, Lakshmi Madkami, shared that Dumma also surrendered in 2019 and became a covert soldier before later becoming a constable. They have three children. Budharam Korsa, a head constable, was promoted twice for his bravery after surrendering in 2016 and starting his service as a covert soldier.
