Bastar, a region in Chhattisgarh, is grappling with a war-like situation, according to Pushpa Rokde, a brave journalist hailing from Bijapur. Her insights shed light on the brutal realities on the ground.
During a panel discussion titled ‘Mirroring the Truth’ at the International Media Festival of Kerala, Ms. Rokde, who works for the Hindi daily Prakhar Samachar, detailed the extraordinary challenges of journalism in a zone torn by left-wing extremist violence and intense security force operations.
She highlighted the agonizing dilemma faced by reporters: how to document the plight of villagers without being labeled a Maoist sympathizer by the government. Conversely, a failure to report on the villagers’ struggles, out of fear of government reprisal, often leads to their imprisonment or even death.
As one of the few female journalists in such a perilous area, Ms. Rokde shared the difficulties of traversing dense forests for hours, solely to report on the fundamental needs of the local communities—their access to food, education, and healthcare—and to bring their grievances against the authorities to public attention.
The Tragic Murder of Mukesh Chandrakar
The brutal killing of Bijapur journalist Mukesh Chandrakar starkly illustrates the fatal risks journalists undertake when attempting to expose the everyday realities of people caught in conflict.
Ms. Rokde recounted how she and a group of fellow journalists grew suspicious after visiting a site believed to be Mukesh’s last known location. This site belonged to a contractor involved in a road project, whose initial estimated cost of ₹50 crore had inexplicably soared to ₹120 crore.
Following relentless pressure from Ms. Rokde and her colleagues, a septic tank was finally opened, revealing Mukesh’s body. He had been murdered for exposing the rampant corruption within this Public Works Department road project. “Journalists risk their lives to uncover the truth, and tragically, many never see justice. Their families are often left alone to fight for accountability,” she lamented.
A Region Overwhelmed by Security Presence
Ms. Rokde further elaborated on the severe disruption to civilian life caused by the massive deployment of security forces in Bastar. The government’s objective is to deliver a decisive blow to the Naxals, but the impact on residents is immense. “A single security camp can house as many personnel as the entire audience here today. Some villages are surrounded by five such camps. Bastar has truly become a war zone,” she stated.
While acknowledging the government’s push, Ms. Rokde expressed uncertainty about the campaign’s ultimate outcome, stressing that recent months have been exceptionally difficult for Bastar’s inhabitants. “We don’t know how many innocent lives will be lost in this final offensive. Many villagers are caught in the crossfire and desperately need protection. If journalists do not step forward, these innocent individuals will perish,” she warned.
She criticized the government’s narrow focus on eradicating Maoists, arguing that it overlooks critical issues like health, education, and other fundamental aspects of community welfare.
The session also featured insights from journalist K.K. Shahina and was expertly moderated by N.S. Sajith.