A record 82 female Maoists have been killed in encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh鈥檚 Bastar region in 2025, according to official data from Chhattisgarh Police. Women now account for 42 per cent of the total 195 Naxals killed in encounters this year鈥攖he highest recorded since 2001.
As per data maintained by Chhattisgarh Police, between 2001 and June 20, 2025, a total of 1,513 Maoists were killed in police encounters in Bastar, of which 348 were women鈥攁pproximately 23 per cent of the total.
However, the spike in 2025 marks a significant and troubling trend in Maoist insurgency.
P Sundarraj, Inspector General of Police (IG), Bastar Range, and a 2003-batch IPS officer known for dedicating most of his career to anti-Naxal operations, told News18, 鈥淭he banned and unlawful CPI (Maoist) outfit has, as part of a deliberate and systematic conspiracy, coerced and misled numerous women and young girls鈥攑articularly from the tribal and rural areas of the Bastar region鈥攁nd forcibly inducted them into its ranks over the years.鈥
He added: 鈥淭hese women and girls were drawn in under false pretences and subjected to emotional, social, and psychological manipulation, effectively denying them the opportunity to make informed choices about their own lives and futures. Tragically, once recruited, these women were never empowered or given positions of influence. Instead, they were ruthlessly exploited by the top Maoist leadership, used primarily as human shields during encounters and as foot soldiers during violent activities, while senior leaders remained protected.鈥
鈥淚t must be clarified that we are not advocating for women to be assigned higher positions within these violent extremist groups. Rather, our objective is to expose the deep-rooted gender discrimination and exploitative practices that exist within the Maoist hierarchy.鈥
CRPF Data Highlights Parallel Trends
The Central Armed Police Force, playing one of the most crucial roles in wiping off Naxalism from the country, has seen a similar trend.
Data compiled by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for 2024 and 2025 supports the findings of Chhattisgarh Police. Over two years, 48 female Maoists were killed (16 in 2024 and 32 in 2025), 35 were apprehended (17 in 2024, 18 in 2025), and 202 surrendered (91 in 2024 and 111 in 2025).
These figures reflect a rise not only in fatalities but also in voluntary surrenders, suggesting growing dissatisfaction within Maoist ranks鈥攅specially among women. The force is working with local administration towards rehabilitation and infrastructure developments.
Meanwhile, IG Sundarraj said the Bastar Police are committed to ending the cycle of exploitation.
鈥淭he Bastar Police remains steadfast in its commitment to breaking this exploitative cycle. Through targeted community engagement, gender-sensitive outreach, and dedicated rehabilitation initiatives, we are working to shield vulnerable women from falling into the clutches of Maoist deception and to support those who choose to abandon violence and reintegrate into society.鈥
He reiterated the government鈥檚 focus on humane, gender-responsive rehabilitation.
鈥淲e continue to prioritise voluntary surrenders by offering comprehensive, humane, and gender-responsive rehabilitation policies that include access to education, vocational training, healthcare, and avenues for full social reintegration.鈥