Security forces tear down Maoist monument in Bastar’s Kutul, tightening grip on Naxal stronghold

Security forces on Saturday demolished a large Maoist monument in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, dealing a symbolic blow to Naxalite presence in the insurgency-affected Bastar region. The action was carried out by Narayanpur Police along with personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Farsgaon village of the Kutul area, a zone long identified as a core centre of illegal Maoist activity.

The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing Maad Bachao (Save Maad) campaign, which is a joint initiative of the Centre and the Chhattisgarh government. It is aimed at eliminating Left-Wing Extremism and pushing towards a Naxal-free Bastar through sustained security action and development outreach.

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Maoist monument razed during area domination exercise

Police officials said a joint security team had moved into Kutul, Farsgaon and nearby interior pockets for area domination and anti-Naxal operations when the monument was spotted. The structure stood in Farsgaon village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kohkameta police station and the Kutul Police Assistance Centre.

Using heavy earthmoving machinery, including a jumbo excavator, the forces dismantled the monument on the spot. Such structures, officials said, are typically raised by Maoists to glorify slain cadres, reinforce ideological influence, and intimidate residents in remote tribal villages.

The demolition is part of a broader push to weaken Maoist symbolism and presence in Abujhmad, which is the dense forested belt that has for decades served as a stronghold for Naxalite groups.

Alongside security operations, authorities are expanding permanent security camps, fast-tracking road and bridge construction, and extending welfare schemes to villages that remained cut off for years due to insurgent violence. Officials said the combined push on security and development is slowly changing ground realities, with more villagers coming forward to share information and refusing to cooperate with Maoist extortion or recruitment efforts.

In recent months, the Maad Bachao campaign has gathered momentum, reflected in a series of arms recoveries, surrenders by cadres, and the expansion of security camps deeper into interior pockets.

Police officials said removing such monuments is not just about dismantling physical structures but about breaking fear and clearing the path for healthcare, education, governance, and economic opportunities in regions that were once inaccessible.

The latest operation, they added, reflects the government’s resolve to loosen the Maoists’ grip on Narayanpur and neighbouring districts and bring tribal communities firmly into the mainstream.