In final push against Maoists, forces zero in on last pockets, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• CRPF estimates only 300 active Maoist operatives remain, primarily in Chhattisgarh-Telangana border and Jharkhand.
• Four Central Committee Members (CCM) remain active: Ganapati, Devuji, Malla Raja Reddy, and Misir Besra.
• Operation 'KGH 2' launched by 2,000 security personnel to apprehend Devuji and Kesa Sodhi at Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.
• In 2025, 370 Maoists were neutralized, 2,391 surrendered, and 1,175 were apprehended in joint operations.
• LWE violence decreased by 88% between 2010 and 2025; deaths reduced by 90%.
• MHA directs states to focus on welfare and development as part of public outreach.

Detailed Insights:

• The CRPF has been actively targeting the remaining Maoist strongholds to meet the Centre's March 2026 deadline for eliminating Left Wing Extremism.
• Security forces are conducting area domination operations and demolishing Maoist hideouts and memorials in affected areas.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is shifting focus from crisis management to welfare and development in LWE-affected areas.
• This directive follows discussions at the DG-IG Conference held in Raipur in November of last year, emphasizing a public outreach program.
• The reduction in LWE violence and deaths indicates the success of security operations and changing strategies.
• The focus on welfare and development aims to address the root causes of LWE by improving socio-economic conditions in affected regions.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Left Wing Extremism (LWE): Ideology that aims to establish socio-political changes through violent revolution.
• Central Committee Member (CCM): High-ranking member of a Maoist organization's central leadership.
• Area Domination: Strategy used by security forces to establish control over a specific region.