NEW DELHI/RAIPUR/HYDERABAD/MUMBAI/RANCHI: March 31, 2026, was not an ordinary financial year-ender. It was the deadline set by the government to eliminate the Naxal movement in the country. By the eve of this landmark date, the Union government signalled that India’s decades-long battle against Left-Wing Extremism had reached a decisive stage.
Informing Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Maoist menace was “near extinction,” with a formal declaration expected after completing the remaining ground operations. Officials in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) emphasised that the focus has now shifted from elimination to consolidation, with coordinated security and developmental strategies being implemented to sustain gains and stabilise once-affected regions.
Over the past few years, security forces have dismantled the Maoist leadership and infrastructure through sustained, intelligence-driven operations. Top Maoist leaders such as Madvi Hidma and Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju have been killed, while others, including Tippiri Tirupati alias Devuji and Papa Rao, have surrendered. Ideologue Ganapathi is believed to have fled to Nepal, while key strategist Misir Besra is reported to be hiding in Jharkhand.
The once-envisioned Red Corridor stretching from Tirupati to Pashupati has now been completely dismantled, marking the collapse of the Maoists’ long-standing geographical ambition. Strongholds like Abujhmad, which remained under insurgent influence for over three decades, have been reclaimed within a short span.
Officials estimate that the number of armed cadres, once above 6,500, has now dwindled to almost zero. More than 22 Central Committee members have either been killed or surrendered in the past year alone. Only a handful of leaders remain unaccounted for, including strategist Misir Besra, believed to be hiding in Jharkhand, and ideologue Ganapathi, suspected to have fled to Nepal.
The success is attributed not only to military operations but also to infrastructure expansion and outreach in governance. The construction of nearly 15,000 kilometres of roads and the installation of over 9,000 mobile towers have opened up remote forest regions, enabling both security access and civilian integration. The Centre has also identified 31 “Legacy Thrust Districts” across affected states.
Experts caution that while the armed movement has been weakened, the ideological undercurrents remain. Former Special Secretary, Internal Security, Ashok Prasad, highlighted the need for a four-pronged approach: eliminating remaining leadership, dismantling residual armed structures, countering ideological influence, and accelerating inclusive development.
Jharkhand continues to witness the final phase of anti-Maoist operations, with security forces focusing on eliminating the last remaining pockets of resistance. The Saranda forests in Chaibasa are believed to be the primary hideout of Misir Besra, the lone surviving Politburo member of CPI (Maoist), along with a small group of cadres.
Police estimate that fewer than 50 Maoists remain active, largely confined to dense forest terrain heavily embedded with improvised explosive devices, posing operational challenges. Security forces have intensified combing operations while simultaneously engaging in outreach efforts, contacting the family members of insurgents to encourage surrender.
In a recent initiative, police teams visited Besra’s residence in Giridih to inform his family about the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy. Family members indicated willingness to persuade him if contact is re-established. Authorities maintain a dual approach, offering rehabilitation while warning of strict action against those who refuse to surrender.
Chhattisgarh, once the epicentre of Maoist violence, has declared itself free of armed insurgents, marking a historic milestone in a conflict spanning decades. The transformation is credited to sustained security operations, advanced intelligence coordination, and parallel socioeconomic development initiatives.
Between January 2024 and March 2026, security forces killed 536 Maoists, facilitated 2,943 surrenders, and arrested over 2,000 individuals. A significant quantity of arms and explosives was recovered, including more than 1,600 weapons and over 1,500 IEDs neutralised.
The Bastar region witnessed an unprecedented deployment of forces and the conduct of strategic operations. For the first time, the national flag was hoisted in over 100 villages previously dominated by insurgents, symbolising restoration of state authority. Despite the success, the campaign came at a cost, with 42 security personnel losing their lives over the past two years.
The collapse of Maoist leadership between 2025 and early 2026 marked a turning point.
Telangana has emerged as a model for resolving insurgency through surrender and rehabilitation. According to state police, nearly all Maoists originating from Telangana have laid down arms. DGP B Shivadhar Reddy said that efforts over the past two years led to 721 Maoists surrendering and rejoining mainstream society.
In Maharashtra, the Maoist movement is on the verge of complete eradication, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stating that the insurgency has been “almost finished.” The Gadchiroli district, once a major stronghold, has undergone a significant transformation.
The state’s specialised C-60 commando force played a crucial role in neutralising insurgents, supported by community policing initiatives involving local tribal youth. This approach improved intelligence gathering, disrupted Maoist operations, and prevented fresh recruitment.
Key milestones included the surrender of senior leader Giridhar Tumreti in 2024 and ideologue Bhupati in 2025.