“Salwa Judum leaders and other civilians have been targets of Maoists ever since the movement began in Bastar. But these killings are not getting highlighted, as no major incidents are taking place because of the pressure mounted by the security forces,” said state Director General of Police Vishwaranjan.

“Because of more confidence, these people move around in weekly markets without informing the police and fall prey to Naxalite attacks,” he told The Indian Express.

However, Vishwaranjan said steps have been taken to intensify patrolling by the security forces in sensitive areas.

Meanwhile, it is also believed that the Maoists stepped up attacks against Salwa Judum leaders after political parties including the BJP and a section of the Opposition Congress developed “cold feet” towards the anti-Naxalite campaign as Assembly elections are just four months away.

“Except for political posturing, neither the senior leaders of the BJP nor the Congress who were in the forefront are now active,” a Salwa Judum leader of Bijapur said on condition of anonymity.

Ever since Salwa Judum, which in local Gondi dialect means ‘peace campaign’, began, more than 1,200 people were killed in Naxalite violence in Bastar region.

As the campaign aimed at isolating the rebels in the villages spread, the Maoists retaliated by unleashing violence, forcing more than 56,000 people to desert their native villages and take shelter in 23 state Government-run relief camps.