A record 82 female Maoists have been killed in Bastar in 2025, the highest number since insurgency tracking began.

By Aniket Chakraborty June 26, 2025 Arrow

Women now form 42% of the 195 Naxals killed in encounters this year, according to Chhattisgarh Police.

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This marks a sharp rise from the long-term average—only 23% of Naxal deaths since 2001 were women.

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Police say many women and girls were lured or coerced into Maoist ranks under false promises.

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Once recruited, they were denied power and often used as human shields or frontline foot soldiers.

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CRPF data echoes this trend: 32 female Maoists killed in 2025 alone, alongside growing surrenders.

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A total of 202 female Maoists surrendered in the last two years, revealing growing internal discontent.

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IG P. Sundarraj stressed the focus on humane, gender-responsive rehabilitation and community reintegration.

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Local outreach now includes education, vocational training, and mental health support for former insurgents.

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As surrenders rise, officials say dismantling gendered exploitation is key to ending Naxalism in Bastar.

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