Study OAS ·
Operation Demolishment: Razing Maoist Memorials in Bastar
What’s the News?
- Security forces in Chhattisgarh have launched Operation Demolishment, a targeted initiative to dismantle memorials and structures erected by Maoists in the Bastar division.
- The operation is being carried out by coordinated teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Special Task Force (STF).
- The primary goal is to reclaim physical and psychological territory from Left-Wing Extremists (LWE) by removing symbols of their influence and "martyrdom."
- Security personnel have successfully razed over 200 Maoist memorials across various districts in the region.
Operation Demolishment?
- Overview: A counter-insurgency initiative focused on dismantling Naxal-built memorials used for ideological outreach, recruitment, and commemorative gatherings
- Execution: Conducted by Indian security forces in coordination with state police and counter-insurgency agencies
- Scale of Operations:
- Total demolitions: 203 structures across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh
- Chhattisgarh: 149 memorials demolished (130 in 2026 alone)
- Maharashtra: 55 memorials demolished (45 in 2026 alone)
- Notable Structure: A 64-foot memorial at Komatpalli village (Bijapur district), demolished in January 2025, previously served as a gathering site for top Maoist leaders and Battalion 1 of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA)
Additional Info
- Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) Context:
- Red Corridor: LWE-affected districts spanning central and eastern India
- Primary States: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
- Armed Wing: People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) – military wing of Communist Party of India (Maoist)
- Battalion 1: Elite and most dangerous unit of PLGA, often involved in high-profile attacks
- Constitutional & Legal Framework:
- Article 355: Union’s duty to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance (basis for central deployment)
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967: Primary legislation banning terrorist and unlawful organizations, including CPI (Maoist)
- Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006: Relevant for tribal land rights in LWE-affected regions
- Recent Trends:
- Over 520 Maoists killed in Bastar region in the last three years
- Significant increase in surrenders and security camp establishment in former "liberated zones"
- Shift from defensive to offensive operations in core Maoist strongholds