Conflict-ridden Dantewada is one of the toughest districts for conducting elections in India, as illustrated in the 2017 film Newton. The district has a high concentration of Maoists, and, thereby, the security forces. According to official data between 2016 and 2018, 85 individuals, including Naxals, common people and police personnel, were killed in various Maoist-related incidents in this district.