Since then, the state and Central governments have scaled up their efforts, including organising an investment conclave in Bastar and eliminating most of banned CPI (Maoist) Central Committee members (CCM), including general secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju, in May this year leaving only a few at the top. However, one of the most-feared Naxal commanders, Mandvi Hidma (50), remains elusive. The Maoist movement, which began in India with the Naxalbari uprising in 1967 in West Bengal, is now confined to a few districts.
ET examines the governments’ realignment in strategy to achieve the March 31,2026 target.
Naxal-affected Districts
The Union government in April this year reduced the total number of districts affected by Naxalism to 18 from 38 earlier. Among these, the number of most affected districts has reduced to 6 from 12, number of districts of concern has come down to 6 from 9 and number of Other LWE-affected districts has been reduced from 17 to 6. According to official data, over 300 Naxals have been killed this year alone with hundreds of them surrendering in states affected by Naxalism, led by Chhattisgarh. As many as 42 civilians and 28 security forces have suffered casualties this year in IED attacks and killings. The surrender and rehabilitation policy by states has undergone a massive change. The state government is willing to open dialogue with Maoist leaders but insists that IED attacks and killing of civilians must stop. Recently, Pothula Padmavathi, one of the senior-most leaders of the banned CPI (Maoist) and wife of Kishenji, surrendered before the Telangana police after remaining underground for 43 years. Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai told ET, “In Chhattisgarh, the rule of the gun is now being defeated by good governance. We have prepared a roadmap for the development of Bastar, closed schools are being reopened, basic facilities like roads, education, health and communication are being provided to remote areas through the ‘Niyad Nellanar (your good village) scheme’. Tourism and industry are being promoted.”
Investment Conclave
The state government recently said ₹52,000 crore investment and development projects have been proposed for Bastar region. “A large number of Naxalites are joining the mainstream due to our rehabilitation policy, and the security forces are giving a befitting reply to those who are still adamant on violence. We are determined to completely free Chhattisgarh from Naxalism by March 2026,” Sai added.
Once considered a citadel of the Red brigade, security forces have managed to carry out successful operations in Sukma, Bijapur and Dantewada. It was from these regions that the Salwa Judum movement started. Abujmaad, referred to as ‘Maad’ among Naxals and security forces, was considered the biggest security vacuum though Forward Operating Bases are being planned and set up.
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