Salwa Judum (meaning "peace march" in the Gondi language) was a militia that was mobilised and deployed as part of counterinsurgency operations in Chhattisgarh, India, aimed at countering Naxalite activities in the region.

The use of Salwa Judum by the government for anti-Naxal operations was criticised for its violations of human rights and poorly trained youth acting in counter-insurgency roles.

Chhattisgarh had trained a number of 'Special Police Officers' or SPOs (also commonly referred to as Koya Commandos), from amongst the tribespeople who were part of Salwa Judum.

The Naxalites progressively achieved influence and control over local tribespeople through a combination of political mobilisation—around poor governance, land rights, livelihoods, and social inequity—and force.

[11][12] Salwa Judum herded villagers and tribal people into makeshift camps, where human rights abuses were rife, and the movement became increasingly violent and out of control.

By early 2008, at least 100,000 civilians caught in the conflict between the Naxalites and Salwa Judum militia had fled to camps in southern Chhattisgarh or to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

[21] An NHRC report published in October 2008 stated that Salwa Judum had lost its earlier momentum and was now restricted to its 23 camps in the Dantewada and Bijapur districts of Chhattisgarh.

"[24] On 5 July 2011, the Supreme Court of India ordered the state of Chhattisgarh to disband any militia force founded to combat Maoist guerrillas.

[citation needed] In April 2008, a Supreme Court bench directed the state government to refrain from supporting and encouraging Salwa Judum: "It is a question of law and order.

[33] In December 2008, replying to a petition filed with the Supreme Court, the state government acknowledged that Salwa Judum and security forces had burned houses and looted property.

On 25 May 2013, members of the Congress party running the Parivartan Yatra, projected as preparatory campaigning for the forthcoming state elections, travelling in a convoy of vehicles after addressing rallies in Sukma, were ambushed and killed by Naxalites.

The deceased included Mahendra Karma, founder and leader of the outlawed and disbanded Salwa Judum; Vidya Charan Shukla, a prominent Congress state and ex-central minister; Nand Kumar Patel, president of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee; his son Dinesh Patel; and ex-MLA Uday Mudaliyar, while several others were injured, including ex-MLA Phulo Devi Netam.