Civil society groups in Jharkhand demand end to repression in Adivasi areas

By A Representative

A coalition of over 40 people’s organisations, political parties, and nearly 90 concerned citizens from Jharkhand issued a joint statement today calling on the central and state governments to halt what they described as widespread repression, violence, and human rights violations in Adivasi-populated areas of Bastar (Chhattisgarh), Jharkhand, and other resource-rich regions.

The statement expresses strong opposition to ongoing military operations aimed at countering Maoist activity, particularly "Operation Kagar," launched in January 2024. According to the signatories, the operation has resulted in the deaths of around 500 individuals, including both Maoist combatants and non-combatant civilians, many of them Adivasis.

The groups allege that the security forces' actions — including the setting up of more than 160 security camps in Bastar and 25 in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand — have been carried out without the consent of local Gram Sabhas, in violation of constitutional provisions like the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and the Forest Rights Act. The camps, they say, are contributing to fear, insecurity, and the militarization of civilian spaces.

Citing incidents of alleged extrajudicial killings, delayed or denied access to bodies of the deceased, and the suppression of peaceful protest movements, the signatories contend that anti-Maoist operations have extended beyond targeting armed insurgents and are increasingly affecting unarmed civilians, activists, and local community leaders.

The joint statement also refers to recent developments, including the death of CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Basavaraju and the reported detention of 18 Maoist leaders in Bastar whose whereabouts remain unconfirmed. The signatories have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and due process in these cases.

The groups further allege that these military actions are linked to efforts to open up mineral-rich Adivasi lands to corporate exploitation, stating that local resistance to land acquisition and mining has been met with state repression.

Among their key demands are:

- An immediate end to armed operations and a credible ceasefire;

- Initiation of dialogue with local Adivasi communities and with CPI (Maoist), which they claim has shown willingness for peace talks;

- Withdrawal of charges and release of youth leaders from the banned "Moolvasi Bachao Manch";

- Removal of armed camps established without local consent;

- Full implementation of laws protecting Adivasi rights, including PESA, the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, and the Forest Rights Act.

The statement concludes with an appeal to CPI (Maoist) to reconsider its strategies in light of human rights standards, democratic values, and the experiences of the past fifty years.

Signatories include a wide range of Adivasi rights organisations, women’s groups, civil liberties forums such as the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), and national alliances like the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM).

The central and state governments have not yet responded to the joint statement. Officials have previously maintained that security operations are aimed at addressing insurgent violence and restoring normalcy in affected areas.

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