Caught in Crossfire

By Jyoti Jangra

Tulsi, a former Naxalite, was forcibly abducted and had no option but to join the Maoist army, suffering greatly under the insurgents. In the same Maoist-State conflict in Chhattisgarh state, Soni Sori, a former educator and tribal rights activist, endured brutality and sexual assault at the hands of the police. In the volatile region of Bastar, often referred to as the "Red Corridor," tribal women are frequently relegated to the role of victims rather than empowered actors. The experiences of women in Chhattisgarh serve as a poignant testament to the pervasive gender inequality that plagues the area.