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As India intensifies its campaign to root out Maoist insurgency, a fierce debate has erupted over the Centre’s flagship anti-Maoist drive, Operation Kagar. BRS president K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) has publicly demanded a halt to the operation, arguing that it is costing innocent tribal and youth lives and undermining democracy.

What is Operation Kagar?

Launched as a pet project of Home Minister Amit Shah, Operation Kagar is the government’s most ambitious effort yet to eliminate Naxal (Maoist) influence, especially in the so-called "Red Corridor" spanning Chhattisgarh, Telangana and neighbouring states. The operation combines military might-deploying over 1,00,000 paramilitary troops-with cutting-edge surveillance, including drones and satellite imagery. Its four-pronged strategy involves:

- Establishing forward operating bases deep in Maoist territory- Building hundreds of fortified police stations in reclaimed areas- Gathering intelligence through high-tech monitoring- Pushing a "generous surrender policy" that has seen thousands of Naxalites lay down arms in the past decade

Why the controversy?Critics, including KCR, allege that Operation Kagar has led to a sharp spike in violence and civilian casualties, particularly among tribal communities. Rao, addressing a public gathering, accused the Centre of "killing youth and tribals in Chhattisgarh" and called the operation "unfair" and "not the spirit of democracy". He has urged for peace talks with Maoists instead of military action.Civil rights activists and groups like the Revolutionary Writers Association (Virasam) argue that the operation is not just about security but is intertwined with broader issues of corporatization, displacement of Adivasis (indigenous people) and the push for resource extraction in mineral-rich forests. They claim the government’s approach is aimed at clearing the way for big business and suppressing dissent.

The Maoist side

The banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) has also weighed in, accusing the government of waging a "genocidal war" against tribal communities and demanding a halt to military operations as a precondition for peace talks. In a recent statement, the Maoists said they would announce a ceasefire if the government withdraws troops and stops counter-insurgency operations like Kagar. They allege widespread human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and torture.

The government’s stand

The Centre, for its part, insists that Operation Kagar is yielding results. Security forces have killed dozens of Maoist fighters in recent months, including major encounters in Chhattisgarh and have recovered large caches of weapons. Home Minister Amit Shah has set a deadline of March 2026 to "eradicate" the Maoist movement, calling recent successes a sign that "Naxalism is breathing its last".

Why now?

The Maoist insurgency, which began in 1967, has cost thousands of lives and remains one of India’s longest-running internal conflicts. While government offensives have reduced the Maoists’ footprint from 180 to about 70 districts, recent violence shows the insurgency is far from over.

What’s at stake?

At its core, the debate over Operation Kagar is about how India should deal with armed rebellion rooted in issues of land, tribal rights and social justice. Supporters of the operation argue that only a strong security response can restore order and pave the way for development. Opponents warn that military force alone will deepen alienation and perpetuate cycles of violence.

As KCR’s call for talks gains traction and the government doubles down on its deadline, the battle over Operation Kagar is shaping up as a test of India’s approach to both security and democracy in its most troubled regions.

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