Based on recent news, a significant wave of surrenders has taken place in October 2025, particularly in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, which is being highlighted by Indian government officials as a major setback to Naxalism and a sign of its end.
Here are the full details:
Massive Surrender of Maoists (October 2025)
- Total Surrenders: Over 258 Naxalites/Maoists surrendered in a two-day period in mid-October 2025 across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
- Key Surrender in Maharashtra (October 15, 2025):
- 61 cadres surrendered in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra.
- The group was led by Mallojula Venugopal Rao (alias Bhupati, Sonu, or Abhay), a 70-year-old high-ranking ideologue and strategist. He was a Politburo Member and Central Committee Member of the banned CPI (Maoist) and carried a bounty of ₹60 lakh (approximately $72,000 USD) on his head.
- The total bounty on the 61 surrendered cadres was around ₹5.24 crore (approximately $630,000 USD).
- Mass Surrender in Chhattisgarh (October 16-17, 2025):
- Over 170 to 208 Naxalites formally laid down arms in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
- The surrendered group included senior figures like Takkalappalli Vasudeva Rao (alias Rupesh, the Maoists’ “bombmaker,” and a newly elevated Central Committee Member) and Ranita (DKSZC member and Maad division in-charge).
- They surrendered a large cache of 153 weapons, including AK-47, INSAS, and SLR rifles.
- Significance: Government officials hailed these as landmark events, with the surrenders of top leaders like Bhupati representing a severe setback to the Maoist’s ideology, communication, and command structure. It was stated that this has led to Abujhmarh and North Bastar, once Maoist strongholds, being declared largely Naxal-free.
How India is Crushing Naxalism
The Indian government’s strategy against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), or Naxalism, is generally a multi-pronged approach often summarized as: Security, Development, and Policy.
1. Security and Counter-Insurgency Operations
- Relentless Pressure: Security forces, including the CRPF, CoBRA, and state police forces (like the Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh), have intensified anti-Maoist operations.
- Forward Operating Bases (FOBs): Establishment of new, fortified security camps in remote, previously Maoist-dominated areas, filling security vacuums, disrupting Naxal supply lines, and cutting off safe havens.
- Targeting Leadership: Successful operations have resulted in the elimination and capture of top Maoist leaders, which severely impacts the organization’s command and control.
- Technological Edge: Use of GPS-enabled tracking, night-vision equipment, and improved intelligence gathering.
2. Development and Infrastructure
- Penetration into Remote Areas: Projects like the BharatNet for high-speed internet, road construction, and electrification (e.g., Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana) have brought government presence and services to remote tribal areas, addressing a key grievance exploited by Maoists.
- Welfare Schemes: Implementation of central and state welfare schemes, including free healthcare (e.g., Ayushman Bharat) and vocational training, to win the trust of tribal communities.
3. Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy
- Incentives and Protection: The government offers attractive surrender policies, providing financial incentives, land, vocational training, and security/protection to those who lay down arms and join the mainstream.
- Dialogue and Appeal: Continuous appeal from the government to the remaining Maoists to surrender and embrace the Constitution, with the promise of a “new life.”
- Reintegration: Efforts are made for the social and economic reintegration of former Naxalites, sometimes including job opportunities in local industry.
Current Status (as per government statements):
- The government has committed to uprooting Naxalism completely by March 31, 2026.
- The number of districts most affected by LWE has been significantly reduced, with only a few districts, primarily in South Bastar (Chhattisgarh), now categorized as severely affected.
- The overall area affected by LWE has shrunk dramatically, and incidents of Naxal violence and related deaths of security personnel/civilians have shown a steep decline over the last decade.