GENEVA, Switzerland — The United Nations has raised a red flag about the tough situation faced by the Indigenous Adivasi people in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, India. In a letter from Michal Balcerzak, the Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), to Arindam Bagchi, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva. The letter points out reports of violence, land grabs, and other problems during security operations against Maoist groups. It asks India to reply by April 17, 2026, and stresses the need for fair treatment under international laws.
This comes at a time when the Indian government is pushing hard to end the Maoist problem by March 2026, as said by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in August 2024. The letter is based on info from groups watching the area, and it matches what many reports say about the ground reality in Bastar. The area is rich in forests and minerals, but the people there, mostly Adivasi, have been caught in the middle of a long fight between security forces and Maoists.
Bastar is home to about 70% Adivasi people, like the Gond, Maria, and Halba tribes. They make up a big part of Chhattisgarh’s tribal population, which is around 30% of the state’s total people. But the fight against Maoists has led to more police camps, arrests, and even deaths, say the reports. The UN letter calls this a possible break of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which India has signed.
Background of the Conflict in Bastar
Bastar has been a hot spot for conflict for many years. The Maoists, linked to the Communist Party of India (Maoist), have been active here since the 1980s. They say they fight for the rights of poor farmers and tribals against big companies and the government. But the government sees them as a threat to law and order. Over time, this has turned into a full-blown armed fight.
In recent years, things have heated up. Since 2019, the government has set up hundreds of new security camps in Bastar. Police say there are now over 300 such bases, up from just a few before. The number of police stations has jumped from 65 to more than 500 in the last ten years. These camps are often built on tribal lands, which are protected under India’s laws like the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, the Forest Rights Act of 2006, and the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act of 1996 (PESA). These laws say that tribals must be asked and agree before any project starts on their land – something called free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).
But many reports say this isn’t happening. For example, in Bailadila Reserved Forest in Dantewada district, mining permits were given in early 2025 without talking to the locals. This area has sacred sites for the Adivasi, and it’s full of iron ore. Big companies like NMDC have expanded mining there, leading to protests. Activists say this is pushing people out of their homes and harming the environment.
The government’s plan to wipe out Maoists by March 2026 has made operations stronger since January 2024. Home Minister Amit Shah has said this many times, like in a speech in 2024 where he set the deadline. Security forces have killed hundreds, arrested many, and got over 1,500 Maoists to surrender in 2025 alone. But critics say innocent villagers are getting hurt too.
Key Allegations in the UN Letter
The letter lists many serious claims. It says at least 500 Adivasi people, including normal villagers, were killed between January 2024 and October 2025 in police actions. Official numbers don’t match what civil society groups report. For instance, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has records, but groups on the ground say the real count is higher.
There are also reports of air attacks. Between 2021 and 2025, security forces used drones or bombs from the air at least five times, hitting villages, farms, and forests where Adivasi live. In 2023, there were multiple drone attacks in Bijapur district, scaring villagers who ran to hide. Police say these are against Maoists, but locals say bombs fell near homes.
Another big issue is rewards for police. Local press releases show officers getting money and promotions after operations where people were killed. This includes cases where villagers were called Maoists without proof.
Arrests are also a problem. Many Adivasi are picked up under strict laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act (CSPSA). They stay in jail for long without trial. In May 2024, police fired on villagers in Bijapur, killing at least 10 and arresting 50. In February 2025, they raided homes early morning, making people flee to forests and arresting 25.
The letter talks about the new Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy from March 2025. It gives money and help to those who give up arms. But some say it’s being misused. In one center in Bijapur, about 200 people, including 60 women and kids, were held without reason and made to do hard work.
Human rights workers face trouble too. Journalists, lawyers, and activists are watched, threatened, or arrested for speaking up. In October 2024, the Chhattisgarh Governor banned the Moolwasi Bachao Manch (MBM), a group fighting for Adivasi rights, calling it unlawful for one year under CSPSA. They asked for a review, but no answer came. Their court case was thrown out in May 2025.
Investigations into these deaths are weak, says the letter. When someone dies in police action, probes should start within 48 hours under the Code of Criminal Procedure. But families and witnesses from Adivasi groups are often left out. Dead people are labeled as Maoists, blocking families from getting justice.
Mining and other projects are approved without asking locals. The Bailadila example shows “composite licenses” for exploring and mining forest blocks without FPIC. This breaks Indian laws and UN standards.
UN’s Concerns and Recommendations
The CERD is worried that these actions show racial bias against Adivasi. They face killings, arrests, and loss of land during anti-Maoist drives. It creates fear for those defending rights, limiting free speech and groups.
The letter reminds India of past UN advice, like General Recommendation No. 36 on racial profiling, No. 35 on hate speech, No. 31 on justice systems, and No. 23 on Indigenous rights. It also points to earlier notes on India from 2007.
Balcerzak ends by saying the Committee wants good talks with India to follow ICERD fully.
Reactions and Statements
Many groups have spoken out. The Wire reported that the UN flagged “unprecedented” violations in Bastar, Assam, and tiger reserves. They quoted activists saying militarization is for mining, not just security.
PUCL (People’s Union for Civil Liberties) in a statement called for restoring rights in Bastar after Maoist retreats. They said, “The end of armed struggle should mean peace, not more control.”
An activist from Bastar, speaking to DW, said, “Villagers are grieving. The crackdown leaves families broken.”
India’s government hasn’t replied yet to the letter. But in past cases, they say operations are against terrorists, not tribals. MEA often says India follows human rights and probes complaints.
Arindam Bagchi, who got the letter, is India’s rep in Geneva since 2023. He has handled UN matters before.
What This Means for India
This UN move puts spotlight on Bastar. With elections and growth plans, the government wants peace. But groups like Amnesty and HRW say real peace needs justice for victims.
Chhattisgarh’s new policy in 2025 for surrenders has helped over 1,500 give up arms. Police say violence dropped in 2025, with 52 new bases and many weapons seized.
But for Adivasi, it’s about land and rights. As one elder told Jacobin, “We are not Maoists; we just want our forests.”
The deadline for India’s reply is April 2026. Till then, eyes are on Bastar.
FAQs
Q1: What is the UN letter about?
The letter from Michal Balcerzak, Chair of CERD, to Arindam Bagchi highlights reports of human rights problems faced by Adivasi in Bastar during anti-Maoist operations. It covers killings, arrests, land issues, and lack of fair probes. It asks India to share info by April 17, 2026, and points to possible breaks of ICERD. This is under the early warning process to stop racial discrimination.
Q2: Who are the Adivasi in Bastar?
Adivasi are Indigenous tribes like Gond, Maria, and Halba. They are about 70% of Bastar’s people and 30% of Chhattisgarh’s. They live in forests, depend on land for life, and have special rights under Indian laws. But conflicts and projects often hurt them.
Q3: Why is there conflict in Bastar?
Bastar has Maoists fighting the government for tribal rights and against big mines. The government runs operations to end this by 2026. But this leads to more police, camps on tribal land, and clashes that affect villagers.
Q4: What are the main claims of violations?
Claims include 500+ deaths from 2024-2025, air bombs on villages, arrests without trial, force on civilians, banning groups like MBM, and mining without consent. Reports say police get rewards for kills, and probes ignore families.
Q5: Has India replied?
Not yet. The letter is recent. India often says it follows laws and probes issues. But groups want real action.
Q6: What can be done?
The UN wants talks. India should probe claims fairly, get FPIC for projects, protect rights workers, and follow laws like PESA and Forest Rights Act.