“The hill once dominated by red terror now proudly flies the Tricolour. Kurraguttalu Hill served as the Unified Headquarters for major Naxal organizations such as PLGA Battalion 1, DKSZC, TSC, and CRC, where Naxal training, strategies, and weapons were developed,” Shah stated in a post on X.

In the largest anti-Maoist operation to date, security forces seized substantial quantities of ammunition, detonators, and explosives, alongside significant stocks of medicines and electrical equipment. Four factories producing weapons, motors, and cutters were also uncovered.

Shah emphasized the central government’s commitment to completely eradicate Maoism by March next year. “This extensive operation was completed in just 21 days, and I am extremely pleased to report that not a single casualty occurred among our forces,” he remarked. He also congratulated the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Chhattisgarh Police’s Special Task Force, and the District Reserve Guard for their contributions to the operation.

CRPF Director General GP Singh stated that this operation signifies “the beginning of the end for Maoism,” noting that the 31 Maoists killed had a combined bounty of ₹1.72 crore, with 28 bodies identified thus far. “We have achieved more than we set out to do. This marks the beginning of the end, and we aim to eliminate Maoism by March 31, 2026,” he told reporters.

He also highlighted a significant reduction in Maoist-affected districts—from 35 in 2024 to just six this year. Nearly 1,000 Maoists surrendered in 2024, with 718 having done so this year alone. Last month, the Union Home Minister appealed to Maoists in Chhattisgarh and other states to abandon their arms and reintegrate into society.

A bench consisting of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh noted that the petitions could be scheduled for discussion next week, depending on the court’s calendar. Currently, the bench is engaged in a part-heard case before a three-judge panel set to convene on Thursday, May 15.

Justice Kant, while addressing Advocate Prashant Bhushan—who represents the NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)—expressed some concerns, stating, “We wish we could work 24 hours. After reading 50 files each night, how much energy is left to tackle this matter?” Bhushan had requested that the issue be discussed over two consecutive days (May 14 and 15).

The petitions, brought forth by ADR, Jaya Thakur (General Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Mahila Congress), Sanjay Narayanrao Meshram, and advocate Gopal Singh, challenge the exclusion of the CJI from the selection committee and question the legitimacy of Sections 7 and 8 of the 2023 Act.

Section 7 specifies that the CEC and other Election Commissioners are to be appointed by the President based on recommendations from a Selection Committee led by the Prime Minister, which includes the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister chosen by the Prime Minister.

Section 8 grants the Selection Committee the authority to establish its own procedures for the transparent selection of the CEC and Election Commissioners and allows the Committee to consider candidates not proposed by the Search Committee.

Petitioners argue that excluding the CJI from the selection process and replacing this role with a Prime Minister-nominated Union Cabinet Minister skews the appointment process in favor of the government, introducing potential partisan influences. They referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling on March 2, 2023, which stipulated that until Parliament enacts a law, the appointments of the CEC and ECs should be made by a committee that includes the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the CJI to ensure independence and impartiality.

The petitioners assert that the 2023 law undermines this judicial decision and threatens the integrity of the Election Commission. They emphasize that the exclusion of the CJI compromises the constitutional obligation for an independent Election Commission, which is crucial for guaranteeing free and fair elections—a fundamental aspect of the Constitution’s basic structure.

In 2023, the Supreme Court declined to put a hold on appointments made under the new Act but agreed to scrutinize its constitutional validity. Earlier, on January 12, 2024, a bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna (who later became Chief Justice and has since retired) issued a notice to the Central Government but refused to suspend the law’s implementation. Subsequently, on December 3, 2024, Chief Justice Khanna recused himself from hearing the challenge against the 2023 law.

During a review of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve’s progress and future plans, Dr. Kotwal raised concerns about nighttime lighting in army camp areas and instructed relevant authorities to work with defense stakeholders to address the issue.

Professor Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the IIA, provided an in-depth presentation on current initiatives associated with the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve project. She discussed significant advancements since its launch, including the distribution of telescopes to selected villagers in Hanle, training them as astro-tourism guides, conducting outreach programs to elevate awareness about astro-tourism, developing an astro-tourism curriculum, and revitalizing astronomy labs in schools throughout Ladakh.

Prof. Subramaniam reported that approximately 28,000 tourists visited Hanle last year, indicative of a growing interest in astro-tourism. She underscored the necessity of introducing astronomy training programs for school students across the region to further enhance public engagement and scientific literacy.

Dr. Kotwal urged the IIA to recommend the formal introduction of the astro-tourism course after the current vetting process. He also tasked the Institute of Hotel Management and the University of Ladakh with developing a phased and structured course that integrates hospitality and astronomy.

Emphasizing the importance of practical implementation, the Chief Secretary instructed the Department of Tourism to conduct an on-site review in Hanle to assess progress and provide necessary support. He highlighted the need to train local residents in operating the telescopes installed in various locations across Ladakh to increase community involvement in the initiative.