Villagers in Chhattisgarh, India, are mourning the loss of loved ones caught in the crossfire between government forces and Naxal rebels. Sukli Oyam's son, Ramesh, a millet farmer, was killed last year while bathing in a river, and Raje Ayam was shot in the back by security forces who mistook her home for a Naxal hideout. These incidents highlight the human cost of India's intensified counter-insurgency operations, Operation Black Forest, launched in early 2024 to eliminate the Maoist movement by March 31, 2026, a deadline set by Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah in February 2025.

The Naxal insurgency, inspired by Mao Zedong's ideology, began in 1967 and continues to affect central and eastern India. The conflict has intensified since 2019, with a significant increase in security personnel deployment and the use of advanced technologies. While the government claims accidental civilian deaths occur during crossfire, activists and human rights organizations allege extrajudicial killings, forced displacement, and other abuses by security forces. The conflict has resulted in nearly 12,000 deaths, including civilians, militants, and security personnel.

Impact Statement: The Indian government's aggressive campaign to end the Naxal insurgency risks exacerbating human rights violations and further alienating civilian populations caught in the conflict.