Naxalites Kill Teacher in Chhattisgarh, Raising Death Toll to 30

A teacher was murdered by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, bringing the death toll from Maoist violence in the Bastar region to approximately 30 in 2025. The victim, Laxman Barse, aged 30, worked as a ‘shikshadoot’, a temporary visiting teacher in government schools. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening around 19:30 local time in Silger village, under the jurisdiction of the Jagargunda police station.

Details surrounding the motive for the attack remain unclear. Naxalites frequently target civilians, particularly those they suspect of collaborating with law enforcement. Reports indicate that Barse was assaulted with sharp-edged weapons, and his family members were also attacked when they attempted to intervene. A police statement confirmed the violent nature of the incident and stated that further legal action is being pursued by local authorities.

Continuing Violence in Bastar Region

This incident follows a troubling trend of violence in the Bastar region, which encompasses seven districts including Sukma, Bijapur, and Dantewada. On July 14, two other shikshadoots were killed in the Farsegarh area of Bijapur district, also under suspicion of being police informers. Earlier in the year, on February 19, two individuals, including a shikshadoot, were similarly murdered in Dantewada.

The ongoing violence highlights the precarious situation in the region, where Maoist groups maintain a significant presence and frequently engage in violent acts against perceived adversaries. The police have indicated that they will provide detailed information about the investigation as it progresses.

As the year continues, the rising number of casualties due to Naxalite activities raises concerns about the safety of civilians in these areas. Local officials and community members are left grappling with the impact of such violence on their lives and the broader implications for security in Chhattisgarh.