Crushing the Naxal menace in Chhattisgarh

IN a major victory for national security, the armed forces have eliminated over 400 Maoist insurgents in the last 16 months — culminating in the killing of Basavaraju, top commander of the banned CPI (Maoist) group, on Wednesday. Operation Sankalp, spearheaded in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, marks the most forceful crackdown on the Naxalite threat in recent memory. For decades, Maoist insurgents have plagued the country’s tribal heartlands with ambushes, extortion and targeted killings. They exploit the grievances of marginalised Adivasis and silence dissent with the gun. This latest offensive has not only decapitated the movement’s leadership but also disrupted its organisational base and weapons supply lines.

It marks a big stride towards achieving the government’s goal of eliminating Naxalism by next March. Security forces, including the localised and effective District Reserve Guard, have conducted operations with precision and restraint. Simultaneously, infrastructure projects, welfare schemes and rehabilitation efforts are being implemented to wean vulnerable communities away from insurgent influence. The drop in security personnel casualties — from 287 in 2014 to just 19 in 2024 — demonstrates the improved strategy, intelligence and local coordination.

However, challenges remain. The killing of top Maoist leaders may indeed cripple the insurgency’s chain of command. But history teaches us that firepower alone cannot resolve ideologically-driven insurgencies rooted in land, rights and dignity. A victory declared in body count alone risks being pyrrhic. We must ask: Is this a path to lasting peace or just a temporary silencing of guns? Without addressing structural injustice and restoring faith in democratic institutions among the discontented Adivasis, Chhattisgarh may remain a conflict-ridden zone.

Editorials