Internal Displacement Crisis in Bastar: Over 10,000 Tribal Families Affected by Naxalite Violence

Bastar,Chhattisgarh - The Bastar region has been severely impacted by Naxalite violence, leading to significant internal displacement among tribal communities. Recent reports reveal that 2,389 families, totaling 10,489 individuals, from 103 villages in Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada districts are currently classified as internally displaced persons (IDPs). The majority of these displaced individuals hail from Sukma, where 2,229 families, comprising 9,772 people, have left their homes due to the ongoing Naxalite insurgency.

Historically, Sukma district has been at the center of Naxalite activity in the Bastar division. However, recent developments suggest a shift in the security situation. The establishment of numerous police and paramilitary camps, combined with effective counter-insurgency measures, has led to some improvements in the region.

According to police data, 48 families who had previously relocated to Telangana have recently returned to their original residences in Sukma, with 216 members resettling in their home villages, Hindustan Samachar reports.

Despite these positive developments, many displaced families remain hesitant to return to their original homes. Government efforts to encourage the return of these families have met with limited success. Some families that have returned are still residing in their displacement locations and have not fully reintegrated into their original communities.

The extent of this displacement and the challenges faced by these families were highlighted in a recent discussion in the Rajya Sabha. Phoolo Devi Netam, a Rajya Sabha member from Chhattisgarh, raised questions about the plight of displaced tribal communities.

In response, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Durga Das Uikey, provided detailed information about the situation. The minister reported that the internally displaced individuals in Bastar include members of various tribal communities such as the Dora, Muria, Dhurwa, Gond, Madia, and Halba tribes, which are considered some of Chhattisgarh’s marginalized tribal groups.

The Chhattisgarh government has conducted surveys in neighboring districts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where many displaced individuals have settled. These surveys aimed to assess the conditions of the displaced and provide information about the state's rehabilitation schemes and security measures. Despite these efforts, many displaced individuals have expressed reluctance to return to their original homes, citing ongoing security concerns.

A recent press statement by Mangdu, the Secretary of the Naxalite Kondapalli Area Committee, further complicates the situation. On April 24, 2024, Mangdu accused returning families of collaborating with the police and issued warnings to those involved in anti-Naxalite activities. The statement highlighted that some families, who had fled during the Salwa Judum anti-Naxalite campaign to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, have now returned due to increased police presence and improved conditions. However, the Naxalites have threatened these families with severe consequences if they do not cease their anti-Naxalite activities and disassociate themselves from police forces.

This ongoing displacement crisis reflects a broader issue of internal displacement, where individuals are forced to leave their homes due to political, ethnic, or violent oppression. The situation in Bastar underscores the challenges faced by displaced communities in rebuilding their lives and highlights the complexities of addressing internal displacement in conflict-affected regions.