Rising female casualties among slain Maoists
Chhattisgarh has seen a sharp rise in women losing their lives among Maoist ranks—over a third of those killed since 2024 have been women.
This shift comes as authorities ramp up efforts to end Maoism by March 2026.
In just over a year, the number went from 74 out of 217 in 2024 to 82 out of 195 by mid-2025.
Recruitment of young girls into the movement
Maoists have been forming 'Bal Dastas,' groups that pull young girls into their movement—often forcing families to give up their daughters.
Even though the group claims to fight patriarchy, women rarely get leadership roles and often face harsh conditions as foot soldiers.
Inspector General P. Sundarraj shared that many are exploited after being forced into service.
To help, authorities are encouraging voluntary surrenders and offering education and job opportunities so these women can rebuild their lives outside the conflict.