Why in News: Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently stated that talks with Maoists will occur only after they lay down arms, reaffirming the government’s goal to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by next year under the ongoing surrender and rehabilitation policy.
Context
- The Union Home Minister recently urged Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream under the government’s rehabilitation policy, asserting that Maoism would be eliminated soon.
- The movement, once widespread across India’s “Red Corridor,” is now at its weakest phase due to sustained security and developmental interventions.
Present Status of the Movement
- The CPI (Maoist), formed in 2004, has witnessed a dramatic decline in cadre strength and leadership.
- Cadres: Reduced from ~10,000 (2004) to less than 2,000 (2025).
- Central Committee: Shrunk from 42 to 13 members, mostly above 60 years.
- Politburo: Down from 25 to 7–8 members.
- In the last 18 months, security forces neutralised 430 Maoists, including top leaders; 1,450 surrendered and 1,460 arrested.
Causes of Decline
- Effective counterinsurgency: Deployment of CoBRA and District Reserve Guard (DRG) trained in jungle warfare.
- Loss of tribal legitimacy: Violence alienated tribal communities who now prefer peace and development.
- Leadership and ideological crisis: Aging upper-caste leadership disconnected from ground realities.
- Improved state presence: Expansion of infrastructure, welfare schemes, and security camps in remote areas.
- Weak recruitment: Decline in intellectual and student support due to waning ideology.
Way Forward
- Rehabilitation & Reintegration: Strengthen surrender policies with skill development, housing, and education.
- Tribal empowerment: Secure land rights, ensure effective implementation of PESA and FRA Acts.
- Inclusive development: Promote healthcare, education, and livelihoods in LWE districts.
- Community policing: Build trust through local recruitment and participatory governance.
- Information and outreach: Use media, theatre, and education to counter Maoist propaganda.
- Sustained vigilance: Prevent regrouping through coordinated Centre–State intelligence and border management.
Conclusion
The Maoist insurgency is in terminal decline, weakened militarily and ideologically.
Peace through justice, not force alone, must be the guiding principle to permanently end extremism and empower India’s tribal heartland.
UPSC Relevance:
GS Paper III – Internal Security
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Mains Practice Question:
Q. The decline of Left-Wing Extremism in India reflects the success of a balanced approach combining security operations with development initiatives. Discuss the factors responsible for this decline and suggest measures for sustainable peace and reintegration.