12-year data shows Maoist-related violence on the decline
The average number of deaths across all categories – civilians, soldiers and militants – in 2011-17 was less than half the number in 2005-10
A suspected Maoist ambush that killed 25 soldiers in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma might have shocked India but data for the 12 years show that violence by left-wing insurgent groups is declining across the country.
Figures sourced from the South Asia Terrorism Portal say that the average number of deaths across all categories – civilians, soldiers and militants – in 2011-17 was less than half the number in 2005-10. The data didn’t take into account the strike on Monday on Central Reserve Police Force.
In this period, 2989 civilians, 1885 personnel and 2571 militants died – a total of 7,445 people, underlining former prime minister Manmohan Singh’s warning that Maoist violence was one of India’s worst internal security challenges.
The worst year during this period was 2010 that saw 1180 deaths in total.
Chhattisgarh accounted for almost half of all security personnel death, a third of all militant deaths and a quarter of civilian deaths.
The second-most affected state was Jharkhand while Andhra Pradesh was third. In all, Chhattisgarh saw 2599 deaths due to Maoist violence during this time. 14 of India’s 29 states saw incidents of Maoist violence during this period.