The Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization (FACAM) condemned Indian state forces for the abduction of six activists from Mool Vas Vi Bachao Manch in the state of Chhattisgarh on November 8. The activists were then resting in the Girgundi community and were on their way to a demonstration in a neighboring community.

FACAM informs that police forces raided Girgundi and abducted the activists Arjun Soni, Muya Hemla, Nagesh Banse, Joga Midiyam, Gillu Katam, and Bhima Kunjam, all of whom are Adivasi (indigenous) people. The group stated that the location of the six remains unknown.

“This incident is a despicable display of the state’s impunity highlighting the state’s fascism and terrorism,” FACAM stated. The group believes that the abduction is not an “isolated incident” but a deliberate and systematic campaign to intimidate Adivasis in Chhattisgarh.

The group added that state forces often tag Adivasis as “Maoists” to cover up serious crimes against them. They carry out abductions, killings, and other human rights violations against Adivasis to pave the way for the entry of greedy corporations that plunder the land and forests of indigenous communities, they said.

FACAM believes that the increasing frequency of these cases follows Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement to target the “eradication” of Naxalism (as Maoism is commonly known in India) by March 2026. “This so-called deadline is nothing but a signal to intensify violence and repression,” the group stated.

Meanwhile, the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) condemned the arrest of five union leaders from the Kishtwar district and another activist from the Doda district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in northeastern India. The arrests occurred last week. They were labeled as “anti-national” under the Public Safety Act (PSA) for standing up for the environment and forests.

A similar charge was reportedly used against students arrested in the state of Assam in northwestern India. “Across the country, ‘development’ is merely used as a pretext for widespread eviction of locals, relentless exploitation of natural resources, and destruction of the environment,” CASR stated.

CASR called for the repeal of the PSA and the repressive Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), which are used against activists and progressives. “Repealing these laws is important to restore democracy in these regions,” CASR stated.