- Going by the look of things, the Naxal activities in the Indian context appear to be on the wane with the security forces consistently enjoying an upper hand over the last few years. For the uninitiated, the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency is an ongoing conflict between Maoist groups known as Naxalites or Naxals – a group of communists supportive of Maoist political sentiment and ideology – and the Indian government. The Naxal-affected states include Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The security forces have largely succeeded in neutralizing the hitherto substantial influence of Naxals by eradicating their cadre in combat operations in the states mentioned. The results are there for all to see.
PC: Defence XP
- Notably, the coordination between the Central and State forces has been commendable resulting in the success of the forces against the anti-social elements. Needless to say, the success so achieved in anti-Maoist operations must be backed by local development for lasting victory to safeguard insurgency from raising its ugly head yet again. As you are aware, 31 Maoists were recently eliminated in a fierce gunbattle in Bastar’s Abujhmad forests, long considered s stronghold of left-wing extremists (LWEs). Indeed, it was a big win for security forces. The operation – the single-largest encounter in Chhattisgarh’s history – also saw the neutralization of top Maoist commanders as well.
- This year witnessed anti-Maoist security operations successfully gaining the upper hand with 202 LWEs having been eliminated so far, another 723 surrendering, and 812 being arrested. A combination of factors appears to be driving this success. That a large number of LWEs have been neutralized in Chhattisgarh can be partially attributed to better coordination between state and central governments. Operationally, more security camps have been set up in Maoist hotspots this year, restricting the movement of LWEs. Plus, tech improvements such as the deployment of drones have significantly aided security forces in their operations. Undeniably, the Maoist violence has seen a significant dip across the country. It augurs well for the administration.
PC: Hindustan Times
- Sustained operations by a combination of security forces, better connectivity in previously remote areas, and better delivery of government services have all played a part in bringing Maoist violence down by 72% in 2023 as compared to 13 years ago. LWEs today are largely confined to certain pockets straddling inter-state borders. It’s now clear that Maoists cannot hope to dislodge the Indian state, and this is drying up their recruitment. Add to this the elimination of top Maoist leaders, and LWEs are more vulnerable than they have been in decades. The GOI should ensure tribal rights, giving tribals stakes in local development, and restricting the flow of illegal weapons from across the borders remains works in progress. Winning people’s hearts is also important.
