Operation Kagar | 29 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

In the backdrop of rising violence and contentious security operations, Telangana's former Chief Minister has raised concerns over the Central Government's Operation Kagar.  

• This operation, aimed at eliminating Maoist insurgents in Chhattisgarh, has sparked criticism for its heavy-handed approach, especially with allegations of the killing of tribals and youths.  

Key Points 

Operation Kagar 

• Operation Kagar, launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs, is aimed at eradicating Naxals and dismantling the political ideology of Maoism.  
• However, the operation has been marked by significant casualties among those Maoists who have refused to surrender to the government.  
• According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, over 140 Maoists were reportedly killed by security forces in Chhattisgarh in the first three months of 2025.  
  • This figure already accounts for more than half of the total death toll in Chhattisgarh for 2024, which stood at 235. 

Impact on Tribals and Local Communities 

• While the government claims Operation Kagar aims to bring peace, its impact on local communities, especially tribals, has been severe.  
• Many tribals have been caught in the crossfire, and the government’s aggressive approach has intensified local resentment.  
• The rise in violence from both Naxals and security forces has deepened tensions between tribal communities and the government, fueling calls for addressing the socio-economic grievances driving the insurgency, rather than relying solely on military action. 

Naxalism 

• About: Naxalism, a form of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) inspired by Maoist ideology, seeks to overthrow the state through armed rebellion (violence and guerrilla warfare).  
  • The term Naxalism derives its name from the village Naxalbari in West Bengal, where an uprising of peasants occurred in 1967 against exploitative landlords.   
  • It has since evolved into a complex insurgency affecting several states across India.  
• Indian Maoists: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) is the largest and most violent Maoist group in India. It was formed through the merger of two major Maoist factions:  
  • CPI (Marxist-Leninist) People’s War and the Maoist Communist Centre of India.   
  • The CPI (Maoist) and its organizations were banned under the UAPA, 1967.  
• Geographic Spread: The Naxal movement is most active in the “Red Corridor,” spanning parts of several Indian states, including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Bihar.  

Causes for Naxalism 

• Land Disputes and Exploitation: The unequal distribution of land and the exploitative practices of landlords, moneylenders, and intermediaries have created significant resentment in rural and tribal areas, fostering the rise of Naxalism. 
• Poverty and Lack of Development: Regions affected by Naxalism suffer from a lack of basic infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, which drives marginalised populations towards radical movements. 
• Tribal Displacement: Industrial and mining projects often displace tribal communities without adequate rehabilitation, leading to anger, a sense of injustice, and a deep mistrust of the state, which motivates many to join Naxalite groups. 
• Government Apathy and Repression: The absence of effective governance, coupled with the denial of essential services and instances of police brutality, including custodial deaths, has exacerbated local grievances, further fueling the Naxalite insurgency.