The CRPF has withdrawn from the Renganar camp marking the beginning of the phased withdrawal of Central Para Military Forces from Bastar. (DC Image)

RAIPUR: Central paramilitary forces have begun withdrawing from parts of Bastar in Chhattisgarh following a sharp decline in Maoist activity in the tribal region, with nearly half a dozen security camps being vacated or readied for closure.

The process began with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vacating its camp at Renganar in Dantewada district of south Bastar. The camp, set up around 15 years ago, was meant to curb Maoist movement along the key road connecting Dantewada and Sukma districts.
A senior police officer said the closure of the Renganar camp marked the beginning of a phased withdrawal of Central forces from Bastar.
Dantewada district collector Devesh Kumar Dhruv said the vacated camp would be converted into a “Seva Dera”, or public service and skill centre, aimed at creating employment opportunities for local residents.
Sources said the CRPF had also started withdrawing personnel from camps at Metapal, Jaram and Badegudra in Dantewada district, with more camps likely to be vacated after security assessments.
More than 65,000 personnel of Central paramilitary forces have been deployed across the seven Bastar districts of Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur and Sukma for counter-insurgency and security operations.
The forces deployed in the region include the CRPF and its specialised CoBRA units, besides the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Around 400 operational camps and forward operating bases have been established across Bastar over the years.
Sources said select forward operating bases and security camps would be handed over to the local police after an assessment of the security situation, while some would be converted into Seva Deras as conditions improve.
The drawdown follows the sharp weakening of Maoist influence in Bastar, once considered the insurgency’s strongest base in the country.


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