Fear, Bloodshed, and the End of the Protection Money System
(From Manpur to Tadmetla—Amid echoes of major incidents, Bastar’s future is changing)
(Purushottam Tiwari)
The Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, along with surrounding Naxal-affected areas—especially Rajnandgaon—has witnessed four decades of violence, fear, and exploitation that gripped everyday life. The so-called “parallel government” run by Naxals was primarily sustained through protection money and fear enforced via “Jan Adalats” (people’s courts).
Manpur and Chhuria: Attacks on Police Stations, A Test of Courage The Manpur police station loot in Rajnandgaon district stands as a major example of Naxal audacity, where the station was targeted and weapons were looted. Similarly, an attempt was made to attack the Chhuria police station. What stands out in this incident is that only three policemen were present at the station, yet they fought bravely. They successfully foiled the attack, killed four Naxals—including a commander—and forced the rest to flee. This incident highlights how security forces have often held their ground despite limited resources.
Tadmetla: A Painful Chapter One of the most tragic examples of Naxal violence occurred in Tadmetla, where 76 CRPF personals were martyred in a deadly ambush. This incident became a national symbol of the brutality of Naxalism. Regreatfully here to mention that the day was celebrated by the students in JNU as an victory.
Madanwada Incident: A Direct Attack on Leadership In 2012, an attack in the Madanwada area of Rajnandgaon district led to the martyrdom of 29 personnel, including then Superintendent of Police Vinod Chaubey (IPS). This incident signaled that Naxals were targeting not just civilians but also administrative leadership.
Jan Adalats: Open Platforms of Terror The Naxals’ “Jan Adalats” were among the most feared mechanisms in Bastar. Entire villages were ordered to gather—children and even pregnant women were not spared. In front of large crowds, individuals were declared “guilty” or labeled as police informers and brutally executed, often by slitting their throats. These acts were not merely punishments but calculated strategies to instill widespread fear.
Extortion Across All Sections: The Web of Protection Money Due to this climate of fear, everyone—from the poor to the wealthy, small traders to big businessmen—was compelled to pay “protection money.” Forest produce, transportation, local markets—every economic activity fell under this extortion network. Estimates suggest that Naxals collected nearly ₹350 crore annually, which sustained their parallel system.
Changing Scenario: Impact of Strict Measures In recent years, firm government strategies and continuous operations have significantly weakened Naxal influence. Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s policy of a “strict response to violence” has shown visible impact on the ground.
Conclusion: Bastar Emerging from Fear Bastar has endured a long period of bloodshed, fear, and exploitation. Today, the situation is changing—roads that once fell silent during the day now see movement even at night. The grip of protection money has gradually weakened and is now nearly to an end allowing people to live more freely. After four decades of fear, Bastar is now moving toward a new story of relief and development.
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