Barring one, entire top leadership of Maoists wiped out from country, Shah tells Lok Sabha, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that almost the entire top leadership of Maoists has been eliminated in the last two years.
• In 2024, the CPI (Maoist) had 21 politburo and central committee members; currently, 1 is arrested, 7 surrendered, and 12 have been killed.
• Over the past three years, 706 Maoists have been killed, 2,218 arrested, and over 4,800 cadres have surrendered.
• The government aimed for a Naxal-free India by March 31, 2026, deploying dialogue, security, and coordination as key strategies.

Detailed Insights:

• The government's approach involves a clear policy and strong political will, contrasting with the previous UPA government's efforts.
• Dialogue is offered to those willing to lay down arms, with rehabilitation arrangements, but force is used against those resorting to violence.
• Previously, 12 states were part of the Red Corridor, indicating a significant presence of Maoist influence and a lack of rule of law.
• A joint strategy was formulated, setting a target to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Maoism: A revolutionary political ideology inspired by Mao Zedong, advocating for a communist society achieved through agrarian revolution.
• Naxalism: An armed revolutionary movement in India, originating in 1967, characterized by violent uprisings and Maoist ideology.
• Red Corridor: A term used in India to denote regions significantly affected by Naxalite or Maoist insurgency.