Basia block is a CD block that forms an administrative division in the Basia subdivision of Gumla district, in the Indian state of Jharkhand. History Gumla became a subdivision of Ranchi district in 1902 and it became a separate district in 1983. Simdega district was carved out of Gumla district in 2011. Subsequently, Gumla district was divided into three subdivisions – Gumla Sadar subdivision (with Gumla, Ghaghra, Bharno, Bishunpur, Raidih and Sisia blocks), Basia subdivision (with Palkot, Basia and Kamdara blocks), and Chainpur subdivision (with Chainpur, Albert Ekka (Jari) and Dumri blocks). Maoist activities The Maoist insurgency started spreading around the mid-1990s and poses a big challenge to peace and development of the district. It “is involved in abduction, extortion, extortion killings.” The banned organisation is active largely in the eastern part of the district mainly in Kamadara, Basia, Palkot, Gumla, Raidih, Sisai and Bharno police stations. In order to counter the activities of the insurgents, arms, ammunition and security equipment have been provided in every police station. It includes bullet-proof and landmine-proof vehicles. Geography In the southern portion of Gumla district, there are flat topped hills called pat, with an elevation ranging from 2,500 feet to 3,000 feet. The pat region is spread across Bishunpur, Chainpur and Ghaghra CD blocks. The highest areas are Netarhat pat (3,356 ft), Lamiti pat (3,777 ft) and Galgat pat (3,823 ft). The rest of the district occupies a part of the Ranchi Plateau with an average elevation of 2,300 feet. Three major rivers flowing through Gumla district are North Koel River, South Koel River and Sankh River. Basia CD block is bounded by Sisai and Bharno CD blocks on the north, Kamdara CD block on the east, Kolebira CD block in Simdega district on the south, and Palkot CD block on the west. Basia CD block has an area of 398.99 km2.Basia police station serves Basia CD block. The headquarters of Basia CD block is located at Basia village. Demographics Population According to the 2011 Census of India, Basia CD block had a total population of 80,731, all of which were rural. There were 40,321 (50%) males and 40,410 (50%) females. Population in the age range 0–6 years was 12,694. Scheduled Castes numbered 4,402 (5.20%) and Scheduled Tribes numbered 51,634 (63.96%). Literacy According to the 2011 census, the total number of literate persons in Basia CD block was 46,031 (67.66% of the population