Context:
The surrender of senior Maoist leader Thippiri Tirupathi (alias Devuji) along with cadres in Telangana signals the rapid decline of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India, indicating a shift toward development-focused governance in former conflict zones.
Key Highlights:
Recent Developments
• Devuji and 20 Maoist cadres surrendered in Telangana.
• Nearly 2,000 Maoist cadres have surrendered since 2024.
• Government aims to eradicate LWE by March 31 deadline.
Neutralization of Maoist Leadership
• Several senior leaders eliminated or neutralized, including:
• Nambala Keshava Rao (Basavaraju)
• Madvi Hidma
• Modiyam Vella.
• Surrender of Mallojula Venugopal Rao (Sonu) weakened Maoist ideological leadership.
Decline of Armed Strength
• Estimated armed Maoist cadre strength now around 180, indicating a severe organizational collapse.
Role of State Strategy
• Success attributed to:
• Improved intelligence networks.
• Forward security posts across the Red Corridor.
• Surrender and rehabilitation policies.
Development and Governance Focus
• Historically, the Red Corridor included India’s most underdeveloped districts.
• Issues such as forest rights, land acquisition, and tribal representation remain crucial.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Left-Wing Extremism (LWE): Movement advocating violent revolutionary overthrow of the state based on Maoist ideology.
• Naxalbari Uprising (1967): Origin of the Naxalite movement in West Bengal.
• Red Corridor: Region spanning central and eastern India historically affected by Maoist insurgency.
• States historically affected include:
• Chhattisgarh
• Jharkhand
• Odisha
• Maharashtra
• Andhra Pradesh
• Telangana.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Factors Behind Decline of Naxalism
• Strengthened security operations and intelligence coordination.
• Implementation of surrender and rehabilitation policies.
• Expansion of road connectivity, telecom infrastructure, and welfare schemes. - Governance and Development Deficits
• Naxalism historically thrived in regions with:
• Land alienation of tribal communities.
• Lack of basic infrastructure and services.
• Poor state presence in remote forest regions. - Importance of Inclusive Development
• Sustainable peace requires economic opportunities and political inclusion.
• Implementation of Forest Rights Act (2006) and tribal welfare schemes is essential. - Way Forward
• Continue development-led counterinsurgency strategy.
• Improve local governance institutions in tribal regions.
• Ensure fair land acquisition and forest rights implementation.
• Strengthen education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS Paper III: Internal security challenges and counter-insurgency strategy.
• GS Paper I: Post-independence internal conflicts.
• GS Paper II: Governance and development in tribal regions.