Victims of Maoist violence from Bastar, Chhattisgarh, gathered at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday under the banner of Bastar Shanti Samiti to meet President Droupadi Murmu. More than 50 Naxal-affected individuals shared their tragic experiences of living under the terror of Maoists, describing the devastation and fear that has gripped the once peaceful region. The residents explained how Bastar, historically known for its rich tribal culture, has been turned into a stronghold of Maoist insurgency over the past four decades. They expressed their agony over the daily threat of violence, with landmines scattered across rural and forested areas, making even simple movement dangerous. Lives have been lost, and many have been left with life-altering injuries. Among those who spoke with the President was Radha Salam, a 16-year-old victim who lost the sight in one eye due to a Maoist attack when she was just three years old. Radha tearfully asked, “What was my fault in this?”

 

Another victim, Mahadev, recounted how a Maoist bomb attack on a bus cost him one of his legs.Jairam Das, representing the Bastar Shanti Samiti, told the President that the group consists of everyday Bastar residents who have suffered deeply due to Naxalite violence. Some have lost their eyes, others their limbs, while others have witnessed the brutal killings of family members at the hands of Maoists. The victims handed over a memorandum to the President, urging her to intervene and take action to make Bastar free of Maoism.

 

They appealed for justice and relief from the terror that has made normal life impossible. President Murmu, in a social media statement following the meeting, expressed her deep concern over the situation in Bastar. She reiterated that no cause can justify the use of violence, which ultimately destroys society. The President urged left-wing extremists to renounce violence and return to the mainstream, assuring them that the government would work to address the issues they raise. “In this world plagued by violence, we should follow the path of peace,” President Murmu emphasised, reminding all of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the decades-long Maoist insurgency that continues to torment the people of Bastar.