Syllabus: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Context: Maoism in Rapid Retreat
- Maoism has weakened sharply with mass surrenders since October 2025 across Dandakaranya and adjoining regions.
- The movement had been declining since 2011–12, with a major setback in 2018.
- In August 2024, CPI (Maoist) reorganised into smaller units to evade security force encirclement.
- The party adopted a defensive strategy, avoiding attacks unless compelled by circumstances.
Leadership Losses and Surrenders
- Internal splits followed leadership disagreements over peace talks versus armed struggle.
- General Secretary Basavaraju was killed in May 2025 in Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh.
- PLGA Battalion-1 in-charge Madvi Hidma was killed in Andhra Pradesh.
- Multiple Central Committee members have surrendered or been neutralised across regions.
- As of October 2025, only seven LWE-affected districts remain, with three most affected in Chhattisgarh.
Development Priorities
- Health Infrastructure
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- Extend medical facilities to interior areas to address anaemia, malaria, dysentery, and snakebites.
- Strengthen primary health centres in areas freed from Maoist influence.
- Livelihood and Agriculture
- Support tribals with quality seeds, fish seeds, irrigation, and check dams.
- Establish forest produce processing units near habitations to improve incomes.
- Education and Rehabilitation
- Expand educational ashrams due to scattered village populations.
- Reverse Maoist ideological schooling through formal government education.
- Utilise vocational skills of surrendered cadres for productive employment.
- Social and Rehabilitation Measures
- Provide free reverse vasectomy procedures and reproductive healthcare support.
- Promote awareness on women’s consent in marriage through village elders.
- State Initiatives
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- Niyad Nellanar scheme delivers around 25 government benefits near security camps.
- The scheme should be extended to all previously Maoist-affected villages.