Context:

There has been a sharp surge in the number of women Maoist cadres killed in anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh since 2024. This rise has coincided with the intensification of counter-insurgency efforts under the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA’s) renewed push to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 2026.

Behind these numbers lies a disturbing narrative of coercion, indoctrination, gender-based exploitation, and the systemic use of women and children as tools in extremist strategies.

Trends in Women Maoist Casualties (2024–2025)

• 2024: Out of 217 Maoists killed, 74 were women (~34%)
• 2025 (till June 20): Out of 195 killed, 82 were women (~42%)
• Comparison with previous years:
  • 2019: 65 total killed | 17 women
  • 2020: 40 total | 7 women
  • 2021: 51 total | 13 women
  • 2022: 30 total | 9 women
  • 2023: 20 total | 5 women

This data indicates a doubling of women fatalities as a proportion of total casualties in Maoist operations since the launch of targeted operations.

Recruitment Through Coercion: Bal Dastas and Gendered Exploitation

According to the MHA, Maoists have been increasingly recruiting young Adivasi girls and forming “Bal Dastas” (child squads) in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Key observations include:

• Parental coercion: Many impoverished tribal families are forced to give up their girl children under threats and pressure.
• Ideological indoctrination: Children are brainwashed to adopt Maoist ideology from an early age.
• Gendered exploitation: Although the Maoists outwardly reject patriarchy, the representation of women in leadership roles such as the Polit Bureau and Central Committee remains negligible.
• Use of women as foot soldiers and human shields, exposing them disproportionately to fatal encounters with security forces.

Underlying Issues: Security, Society, and Maoist Strategy

• Deliberate Alienation Strategy:
  • Maoists systematically attack schools and educational infrastructure.
  • As per MHA, education fosters critical thinking and alternate livelihoods, which are seen as a threat to Maoist influence.
• Civilian and Infrastructure Loss:
  • Since 2019:
    • 725 civilians killed in LWE violence.
    • 263 incidents of attacks on economic infrastructure recorded.
• Socio-Economic Backdrop:
  • Lack of education, healthcare, livelihood options, and state presence in remote tribal areas fuel Maoist recruitment.
  • Women and children from these regions become the most vulnerable and easily exploited demographic.

Security Forces' Perspective and Response

• Initial recruitment of women was largely based on coercion and misinformation.
• Once inside the Maoist ranks, women face physical, mental, and emotional exploitation.
• Maoists use women primarily as human shields and expendable foot soldiers.

However, the security forces are increasingly pursuing a sensitive, gender-aware approach, prioritizing:

• Voluntary surrender schemes
• Gender-sensitive rehabilitation policies offering:
  • Education
  • Vocational training
  • Healthcare access
  • Social reintegration pathways

Way Forward: A Multi-Pronged Strategy

• Strengthen Surrender and Rehabilitation Frameworks:
  • Expand socio-economic reintegration schemes tailored for women ex-cadres.
  • Ensure psycho-social counselling, particularly for minors and survivors of exploitation.
• Enhance State Presence and Welfare Delivery:
  • Accelerate development of infrastructure, education, and healthcare in LWE-affected districts.
  • Promote community policing and tribal leadership in governance processes.
• Child Protection Measures:
  • Strengthen child protection systems, including monitoring of Bal Dastas.
  • Empower and engage Anganwadi workers, school teachers, and local NGOs in vulnerable zones.
• Gender-Sensitive Counter-Insurgency Doctrine:Train forces in humane engagement, protection of rights, and de-escalation tactics when dealing with women and child cadres.