Where is Sukma and why it's a Naxal hotbed?

Raipur: The Sukma region of Chhattisgarh has once again come into focus after 24 CRPF jawans were butchered in cold blood by the Naxals on Monday afternoon.

Sukma is long known as a hotbed of the violent Naxal movement.

There are several factors which make Sukma an ideal ground for movement of Naxalites.

The Sukma region shares its border with two states – Odisha and Telangana, thereby giving an easy escape route to the ultras, though efforts have been made in recent years to ensure coordination between different state police departments.

Sukma, which is part of the Bastar Region, shares its boundary with the Malkangiri district of Odisha and the Khammam district of Telangana.

Though, the security forces have made considerable progress in recent years in curbing Naxal activities in the district, some areas continue to hold sway in favour of the the Naxals.

For the first time in three decades, the tricolour was hoisted last year in the stronghold of Gompad village to celebrate Independence Day. Earlier, the Naxals used to unfurl a black flag in the village in protest.

The current ambush at the Dornapal-Chintagufa area is known for such attacks in the recent past.

In 2010, more than 70 security personnel were killed in the area in a Naxal attack.

Areas with the most Naxal presence in the state include Sukma, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Bijapur, Bastar, Kanker and Kondagaon.