
On February 1, 2025, the Brahmanical Hindutva Fascist BJP-RSS led Chhattisgarh Government claimed the killing of eight Maoists in the Tolimeta (Toli Hills) area between the villages of Korcholi and Todka in Bijapur district. However, villagers from the area have vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the victims were all innocent villagers.
According to the police’s account, the encounter began at 8:30 am, with sporadic firing continuing throughout the day. The police claim to have killed eight Maoists and suggested that many more may have been injured or killed. They also reported recovering weapons, including INSAS rifles and barrel grenade launchers (BGL). However, there is no independent verification of these claims, and the villagers’ testimonies cast serious doubt on the authenticity of the encounter.
According to the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), security forces raided homes in Korcholi (Gayatapara, Patelpara) and Todka (Pura village) in the early hours of the morning. This was followed by intermittent gunfire from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, during which eight villagers were killed, and several others were abducted. As of now, the exact number of abducted villagers remains unknown.
This tragic event highlights a disturbing and repetitive pattern in the state’s operations. Adivasi peasants are routinely criminalized, stripped of their civil rights, and branded as enemies of the state. Due process and the rule of law are blatantly ignored, while extrajudicial killings are celebrated as victories. Such practices contribute to the violation of human rights and facilitate the war on people and their lands for corporate interests.
The recurring pattern of fake encounters, including the notorious Edesmetta and Pidiya encounters, has become all too familiar in Bastar. In just the past year, the Indian state, under the guise of counterinsurgency operations, has claimed the lives of over 300 people, most of whom were civilians.
The Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization (FACAM) strongly condemns the brutal massacre by the security forces in Tolimeta and calls for an immediate and thorough investigation into this incident. We demand the following actions:
1. Constitution of an Independent Inquiry Committee- An impartial investigation committee of Human Rights Activists led by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge, must be constituted to probe the allegations of the fake encounter.
2. Hold Security Personnel accountable: The security personnel responsible for the encounter should be suspended pending investigation and charged with criminal offenses if found guilty.
3. Compensation and Medical Care:The families of the deceased must be compensated, and the injured should receive immediate medical attention and care.
4. Halt to Military Operations: The Indian state must cease military operations such as Operation Kagaar and engage in meaningful political dialogue with the CPI (Maoist). The resolution of the issues pertaining to the Maoist movement cannot be achieved through military force.
FORUM AGAINST CORPORATIZATION AND MILITARIZATION(FACAM)
Constituents: All India Revolutionary Students Organization (AIRSO), All India Students Association (AISA), All India Revolutionary Women’s Organization (AIRWO), Ambedkar Student Association- DU (ASA-DU), Bhim Army Student Federation (BASF), Bhagat Singh Ambedkar Students Organization (BASO), Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (bsCEM), Collective, Common Teachers Forum (CTF), Democratic Students Union (DSU), Fraternity Movement, Nazariya Magazine, Progressive Lawyers Association (PLA), Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan (MAS), Trade Union Centre of India (TUCI), Vishwavidyalaya Chhatra Federation (VCF)