Bastar is new Maoist epicentre: DGP says it’s training ground for cadres from across India

Bastar in Chhattisgarh is emerging as the new training ground for Maoist extremists from across the country.

Bastar in Chhattisgarh is emerging as the new training ground for Maoist extremists from across the country. The People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) is running four camps in the forests of the region where cadres from several states are being given “on the job” training in carrying out attacks and planting explosives.

Intelligence reports and documents seized by the Chhattisgarh police indicate that Bastar is the new epicentre for Maoist extremism and officials suspect that 1,500-2,000 cadres are present in these camps at any given time.

Chhattisgarh DGP Vishwaranjan told The Indian Express that while three of the camps were located in the jungles of Bijapur and Dantewara districts, one camp is believed to be located in the Abujhmarh forests.

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“According to intelligence inputs received by us, apart from locally recruited cadres, Maoist extremists from other states, including Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, are also being given training,” the DGP said.

Apart from 8,000-10,000 armed PLGA and Jan militia in the region, there are also 25,000-35,000 Naxal sympathisers or Sangham members.

According to the DGP, Bastar was ideal for such camps as the cadres could be given “on the job” training through real attacks on security forces, planting of explosives, blowing up of government buildings and infrastructure. Guerrilla warfare tactics are also being taught.

Lack of an adequate security apparatus emboldens the extremists to often use trainee militia members in their offensives. Bastar has five districts — Narayanpur, Kanker, Bastar, Bijapur and Dantewara — and each has been hit by Maoist violence. “For five districts with an area of over 45,000 sq km, we have just 13 battalions of Central forces, while we need at least 70,” Vishwaranjan said. Of the 13 CRPF battalions, 10 are posted in the Bastar region while three are posted in the northern districts. Chhattisgarh has been worst hit by the Naxal menace. Of the 20 police districts in the state, 16 have been officially acknowledged as being Naxalite-affected. At least 700 people, including 250 security personnel, have been killed in Naxal-related violence in the last two years.