Maoist insurgency declines due to targeted development, internal rifts, and leadership crisis
Maoist insurgency, once a formidable internal security threat, has significantly declined, shrinking its control from nearly 180 districts to just 18. This reduction is attributed to a combination of targeted development schemes, sustained counterinsurgency operations, internal rifts, ideological rigidity, leadership crises, and alienation of their support base. Incidents of Left-Wing Extremism and related fatalities have drastically fallen by over 50% and nearly 70% respectively between 2004-14 and 2014-23. The outfit's decision-making body, the Politburo, now reportedly has only four active members, indicating a severe leadership crisis and diminishing relevance among younger generations.
Key Points
- Maoist insurgency has significantly declined, with its influence shrinking to 18 districts from nearly 180.
- Key factors for the decline include targeted development, sustained counterinsurgency operations, and internal organizational issues.
- Incidents of Left-Wing Extremism and related fatalities have seen a drastic reduction over the past two decades.
- Leadership crises, such as the resignation of Ganapathy and death of Basava Raju, have severely weakened the outfit.
- The Maoist ideology is losing relevance among younger peasants and tribals who prioritize education and integration into mainstream society.
Exam Facts
- Maoist insurgency shrunk from ~180 districts to 18.
- Left-Wing Extremism incidents dropped >50% between 2004-14 and 2014-23.
- Fatalities fell by nearly 70% in the same period.
- Naxal-related violence peaked at 1,936 incidents in 2010, plummeting to 374 by 2024.
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