The Naxal assault on October 8 that killed 17 policemen is the most recent in Gadchiroli, which is caught in a spiral of violence. THE Indian EXPRESS travels to the tribal district of Maharashtra that has become one of the major Maoist battlegrounds

With the Pranhita, Godavari and Indravati flowing through its lush landscape, its exquisitely carved ninth-century temples of Markanda, and the thickly-wooded Chaprala sanctuary, Gadchiroli is a land of beauty and serenity. But over the last few months, Gadchiroli, in eastern Maharashtra, has been caught in a vortex of Maoist violence.

Small huts dot the tarred roads that go right through its interiors, roads that have been built despite violent opposition from Maoists. Mainly inhabited by Madia-Gond tribals, other tribes like the Pradhans and the Kolams, and displaced Bengali refugees who form over half of its over 13-lakh population, there is little here to suggest that these villages are at the centre of a storm. But there is no missing the curious, shy and often probing glances you get from the villagers. It may look calm and sleepy, but Gadchiroli is always in a state of high alert. And everyone knows why.

Nearly 30 years ago, Gadchiroli was influenced by Naxal ideology that came in from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The ideology soon turned into a wave of terror. And now, as the decisive battle between the Maoist insurgents and the state becomes intense, Gadchiroli is the battleground.

In recent months, Gadchiroli has gone from becoming a relatively less-affected Maoist spot in the Red Corridor to one of the main combat zones between the state and Maoist insurgents. In the past 10 months, Maoist attacks have gone up in the region. On October 8, the Naxals ambushed a police patrol, killing 17 policemen. About 53 policemen and 30 civilians have been killed in four big attacks this year. In the last 28 years, 113 security personnel and 367 civilians have been killed here.

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