Victims of Bastar violence seek freedom from Maoist menace

NEW DELHI: At a time when Centre has made significant gains in fight against Left-wing extremists and pushed them on back foot, victims of Maoist violence from Bastar have joined the battle of perception, reported.

In a first, a group of 50 victims of Naxal attacks marched from Kartavya Path to Jantar Mantar Thursday, where they organised a silent protest demanding the "voice of Bastar be heard and people there be freed from Naxal violence". Organised under banner of Bastar Shanti Samiti , "dedicated to promoting peace and resolving conflicts in Bastar", the victims will address a presser to speak about their plight, followed by a programme at the JNU campus.

They also met home minister Amit Shah Thursday. "For long, Maoists shaped the narrative, painting themselves as fighters for people's rights while concealing the exploitation of tribals. It is time people get to see their real character and intent," said a source involved in the event planning.