Context:
- The surrender of Thippiri Tirupathi (alias Devuji), a senior CPI (Maoist) leader carrying a ₹1 crore bounty, marks a significant development in the decline of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India.
- Combined with the death of over 500 Maoist cadres since 2024, the incident indicates a major weakening of the insurgency ahead of the government’s March 31 deadline to eliminate LWE influence.
Key Highlights:
Nature of Naxalism in India
- Naxalism, also known as Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), is an armed Maoist insurgency aimed at overthrowing the Indian state through guerrilla warfare and armed revolution.
- The movement began with the 1967 Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal and gradually expanded into the Red Corridor, covering multiple states in central and eastern India.
- Once described as India’s most serious internal security threat, Naxalism is now shrinking to isolated pockets, mainly in:
- Bastar region (Chhattisgarh)
- Jharkhand–Bihar border areas
Key Statistics and Trends
- Leadership Attrition
- The Maoist Politburo now has only one active member – Misir Besra, compared to nearly 50 Central Committee members earlier.
- Neutralization of Cadres
- 285 Maoists were killed in 2025.
- 22 Maoists neutralized in the first two months of 2026.
- Total Casualties
- More than 500 Maoist cadres killed since 2024 during counter-insurgency operations.
- Shrinking Operational Footprint
- LWE-affected districts have reduced from over 100 districts a decade ago to only a few active clusters today.
- Symbolic Decline
- Security forces have demolished over 100 Maoist memorial structures, weakening the insurgency’s psychological influence in tribal areas.
Reasons for the Decline
- Leadership Crisis
- Long-standing Telugu leadership networks of the Maoist movement have collapsed due to arrests, deaths, and surrenders.
- The surrender of Devuji and strategist Sonu (2025) has weakened ideological direction within the organisation.
- Aggressive Security Operations
- Elite forces such as Greyhounds (Telangana) and COBRA units of CRPF have adopted offensive counter-insurgency strategies.
- Security forces now operate inside previously inaccessible Maoist strongholds in South Bastar.
- Ideological Decline
- Tribal youth increasingly seek education, employment, and digital connectivity rather than revolutionary politics.
- Infrastructure Expansion
- Government initiatives like the Road Requirement Plan (RRP) and expansion of mobile connectivity have reduced Maoist territorial control.
- Improved Intelligence and Technology
- Use of drones, satellite imagery, and technical surveillance enables real-time tracking of Maoist movements.
- Precision operations such as the 2025 operation eliminating leader Nambala Keshav Rao demonstrate improved intelligence capabilities.
Key Government Initiatives
- Operation SAMADHAN
- A strategic framework based on:
- Smart leadership
- Aggressive strategy
- Motivation and training
- Actionable intelligence
- Dashboard-based monitoring
- Aspirational Districts Programme
- Focuses on 35 LWE-affected districts to improve:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Financial inclusion
- Infrastructure
- ROSHNI Scheme
- A placement-linked skill development programme for tribal youth in LWE areas.
- Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy
- Provides financial incentives, housing, and land support to Maoist cadres who surrender.
Remaining Challenges
- Residual Strongholds
- Dense forests of Abujhmad in Bastar continue to provide shelter to small Maoist groups.
- Inter-State Movement
- Maoist leaders exploit state borders (e.g., Odisha–Chhattisgarh–Jharkhand) to evade security forces.
- Governance Gaps
- Lack of basic services such as healthcare, drinking water, and livelihood opportunities persists in remote tribal areas.
- Urban Networks
- Some overground organisations and ideological support networks continue to provide logistical support.
- Use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
- Maoists still rely on IED attacks on security convoys, causing occasional casualties.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Naxalbari Movement (1967) in West Bengal marked the beginning of Naxalism in India.
- CPI (Maoist)
- Formed in 2004 through the merger of:
- People’s War Group
- Maoist Communist Centre (MCC).
- Formed in 2004 through the merger of:
- Major Counter-Insurgency Forces
- CRPF
- COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action)
- Greyhounds (Telangana/Andhra Pradesh).
- Major Government Programmes in LWE Areas
- Operation SAMADHAN
- Road Requirement Plan (RRP)
- Aspirational Districts Programme
- ROSHNI Scheme
- Red Corridor
- Refers to areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism across central and eastern India.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Internal Security Perspective
- Declining Maoist insurgency reflects successful counter-insurgency strategies combining security and development.
- Role of Development in Conflict Resolution
- Infrastructure, connectivity, and welfare schemes have reduced the appeal of extremist ideologies.
- Technological Transformation in Counter-Insurgency
- Use of drones, surveillance technology, and digital intelligence networks has strengthened operational effectiveness.
- Importance of Local Governance
- Long-term peace requires strong grassroots governance and inclusive development in tribal regions.
- Socio-Economic Dimension
- Addressing tribal grievances related to land rights, forest produce pricing, and displacement is critical to preventing resurgence.
Way Forward
- Ensure last-mile delivery of welfare schemes in tribal areas.
- Strengthen local policing and community intelligence networks.
- Expand education, skill development, and employment opportunities for tribal youth.
- Enhance inter-state coordination among security forces.
- Deploy advanced technologies and Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs) to counter IED threats.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper III: Internal security challenges, Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency strategies.
- GS Paper II: Governance, development policies in tribal areas, inclusive development.