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OPINION OCTOBER 24, 2025 | The Indian Eye 10
Left-Wing Extremism in
Maharashtra: Counterinsurgency
Strategies and Current Challenges
There has been a gradual reduction in Naxal-related violence in Maharashtra on account of the
implementation of effective counterinsurgency strategies. Challenges include integration of tribal
rights and developmental activities, as well as relief and rehabilitation of surrendered Naxals.
ANUSHKA CHAVAN
aharashtra has been affect-
ed by the Left-Wing Ex-
Mtremist (LWE) movement
for over four decades, as Maoist ac-
tivities have prevailed in both rural
and tribal areas, as well as some ur-
ban areas of the state. Over the last
few years, there has been a signifi-
cant decline in violence perpetrated
by Naxals, with only the Gadchiroli
district remaining a hotbed. Chief
Minister Devendra Fadnavis—who
became the first-ever CM to assume
responsibility as Guardian Minister
of the district—pledged to eradi-
cate Naxalism during his three visits
to Gadchiroli within the first seven
months of 2025.
Moreover, the State legisla-
ture’s passing of the Maha-
rashtra Special Public Security Naxal-affected districts in Maharashtra. Source: Illustration made by the author using Geographical Information System (GIS), with data
(MSPS) Bill 2024 has brought sourced from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India.
back debates on the challeng-
by the Maoists kept surging. There of young commandos from Nax- greater police powers and urged the
es of ‘Urban Naxalism’. This were increasing cases of kidnappings al-affected areas,[5] skilled in guer- Union government to lead coordi-
brief seeks to analyse the evo- and killings of landlords, contractors, rilla warfare, to counter the incom- nated operations.
factory workers, Security Forces (SF) ing threat. Deployment of Central Additionally, Maharashtra be-
lution of LWE in Maharashtra, personnel and political leaders. Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in came one of the first states to imple-
the state’s response and the Counterinsurgency Strategies Naxal-affected regions was under- ment the Surrender and Rehabilita-
As a result of the growing vio- taken, Security-related Expenditure tion (S&R) Policy in 2005, leading
current challenges the state lence across the country, the union (SRE) was provided by the Union to the surrender of over 500 Naxals
government faces. government launched a multi- government and police reforms were between 2005 and 2015. Although
pronged strategy for coordinated ac- initiated under the Modernisation of violence gradually declined, there ex-
tion by LWE-affected states, focusing Police Forces (MPF) scheme. isted inadequacies in policing struc-
By the early 2000s, various Nax- on political security, development, In 2011, multiple revisions were tures, including ill-equipped and
al groups had merged and expanded perception management and tribal made in staffing patterns to enhance insufficiently-trained commandos,
their operations. This, coupled with rights. These guidelines were imple- Anti-Naxal Operations, including the improper implementation of MPF
the adequate capitalisation of trib- mented in Maharashtra’s affected upgradation of the rank of Anti-Nax- and lack of timely intel-sharing be-
al grievances by the Communists, districts, and the following counter- al Operations Chief from DIGP to tween centre–state forces.
resulted in a sharp rise in violence measures were undertaken: ADGP and the revival of the post With the change in government
across India. Incidents of open fir- In the initial stages, the Gad- of ADGP (Special Operations) for at both the central and state levels in
ing from jungles, torching of securi- chiroli Police formed the Crack-60 state-level coordination of different 2014, a renewed thrust was given to
ty vehicles and detonating of IEDs (C-60) task force in 1990, consisting security groups. Patil also requested Continued on next page... >>
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