Fake Encounters Propaganda By Communist Ecosystem in Chhattisgarh

Recent revelations have shed light on the joint efforts of Maoists and a political force to propagate a narrative of fake encounters conducted by security forces.

This misleading narrative aims to delegitimize the successful anti-Naxal operations by security forces and create public distrust towards law enforcement agencies.

The case of Sarita Kakem, a female Maoist arrested by the police, is a crucial example. Sarita, a resident of Tadkel village in Bhairamgarh, Bijapur district, was apprehended with an AK-47 rifle while dressed in civilian clothes.

Her arrest on May 10, after a police operation that led to an exchange of fire with Maoists, revealed that she had been actively involved with the Maoist group since 2007. During the encounter, many Maoists fled, but Sarita, blending in with the villagers, could not escape and was captured.

Sarita's confession highlights a significant Maoist strategy using civilians, especially women, as human shields. By keeping some members in civil attire, the Maoists aim to obscure their identities and accuse the police of targeting innocent villagers when apprehended.

A narrative was spread that the police fired on villagers collecting tendu leaves. However, the site of the tendu leaf collection was about 20 kilometres away from the encounter location, debunking this claim. Such propaganda is a reaction to the Maoists declining morale due to continuous losses in encounters with security forces.

Moreover, the opposition Congress party has been seen sympathising with the Maoists, often questioning the legitimacy of police actions and supporting the narrative of fake encounters.

Former state home minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, for instance, criticised the BJP's approach towards Naxal operations, alleging that their policies lead to the deaths of innocent indigenous people.

These statements, however, overlook the strategic and necessary measures taken by the government to combat Naxalism effectively.

Following the encounter of the 29 naxalites in Kanker, the opposition (Congress) questioned in disbelief that the killed Maoists were not Maoists but innocent villagers. This clearly shows how incompetent the previous Congress government was to tackle Naxal terrorism in the region.

As the BJP-led state government is now focusing on the Naxal issue properly and effectively, the Congress is not able to digest this fact.

Congress' Supriya Shrinate described Naxals killed in the encounter with security forces in Hapatola as "martyrs" and raised questions over the action against the extremists. Instead of welcoming the action by the security forces, the Congress has done what is expected of them.

However, it is unthinkable that it claimed that the Naxals were essentially martyrs. It put a question mark on the bravery of our security forces.

During Congress's tenure in Chhattisgarh from 2018 to 2023, their efforts to counter left-wing extremism were perceived as ineffective.

With the BJP now intensifying its anti-Naxal operations, Congress's criticism appears to stem from political rivalry rather than genuine concern for indigenous lives.

Their stance unintentionally provides moral support to Maoist activities and undermines the efforts of security forces.

The coordinated efforts by Maoists and the Congress to label genuine encounters as fake are a strategic move to weaken the current government's stance against Naxalism.

The arrest of Sarita Kakem and the exposure of Maoist tactics underscore the falsehood of such claims. It is imperative for the public and political entities to recognise and support the ongoing efforts to eliminate Naxalism rather than succumb to misleading propaganda.

The government's commitment to eradicating this menace should be bolstered by unified support, ensuring that peace and security are restored in affected regions.

Report by



Shomen Chandra
Intern, The Narrative