Displaced people struggle for land rights amid anti-Maoist ops in Chhattisgarh, Pg 9.

Key Highlights:

• Thousands of people have been displaced in Bastar due to the conflict between Maoists and the Salwa Judum over the past two decades.
• Many displaced tribals have migrated to neighboring Telangana and Andhra Pradesh but lack land rights and recognition as Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• The Chhattisgarh government reported approximately 13,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during a hearing in September 2025.
• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has urged the involved state governments to conduct surveys and re-evaluate the IDP numbers.

Detailed Insights:

• The ongoing counterinsurgency operations in Chhattisgarh, with a deadline of March 2026 to eliminate Left-wing extremism, raise concerns about the neglect of displaced populations.
• Activists are advocating for the recognition of these displaced individuals as victims of conflict and propose rehabilitation plans similar to those implemented for Bru tribals from Mizoram.
• The Salwa Judum, a militia involved in counterinsurgency operations, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2011, leading to further displacement during its peak in the 2000s.
• The NCST has been addressing grievances from IDPs, including allegations of land being taken away in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive policy response to protect their rights.
• Displaced tribals are seeking land rights from the Telangana government and compensation from the Chhattisgarh government to regain stability after losing their lands.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): People who have been forced to flee their homes but remain within their country's borders.
• Salwa Judum: A now-outlawed militia that was involved in counterinsurgency operations against Maoists in Chhattisgarh.
• Forest Rights Act: A law that grants certain rights to forest-dwelling communities over forest land and resources.