How is India defeating Naxalism?

KAKALI DAS

For more than five decades, Naxalism has been one of India’s biggest internal security challenges. It has claimed thousands of lives, halted development, and created deep divisions in society. But today, there is a silent transformation happening. India is finally winning the war against Naxalism, and the once-dangerous Red Corridor is slowly turning into a Growth Corridor. This is one of India’s hidden victories that deserves far more attention than it receives.

To understand how far India has come, we must first understand what Naxalism really is. It is a far-left, Maoist-inspired communist movement that began in 1967 in a small village called Naxalbari in West Bengal. The movement got its name from this very place.

The ideology was led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal, who were deeply influenced by Mao Zedong’s revolutionary philosophy in China. The core idea of Naxalism was simple yet violent, to start an armed revolution to seize land and power from the rich and powerful, and give it to the poor and landless.

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At first, it might have appeared as a movement for justice, but soon it turned into a violent campaign against the Indian state. The aim was not just redistribution of land but to overthrow the government and establish what they called a “people’s government.” Over time, this ideology spread across India, especially in tribal and forested areas where poverty, inequality, and lack of governance created fertile ground for rebellion.

By 2010, Naxalism had spread to more than 180 districts across 10 states including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of West Bengal. This entire stretch came to be known as the “Red Corridor”, symbolising the regions under Naxal influence. These groups used violence, guerrilla warfare, and fear to control territories, often attacking police, government officials, and civilians.

Between 2004 and 2010, Naxalism was at its peak. In 2004, various smaller Naxal groups merged under a single organisation, the Communist Party of India (Maoist), which became the central force behind the movement. The year 2010 marked the height of Naxal violence with over 2,000 incidents and more than 1,000 deaths. For years, these regions remained cut off from mainstream India, with limited access to roads, electricity, education, or healthcare.

However, over the years, the tide began to turn. The numbers tell a powerful story. Between 2010 and 2023, incidents of Naxal violence declined by more than 80%, and deaths dropped by over 90%. The number of Maoist-affected districts also fell by more than half. From more than 180 districts, the figure dropped to less than 70, and as of 2025, only 18 districts remain under serious influence.

This remarkable decline did not happen overnight. It was the result of a multi-pronged strategy by the government that combined security measures, development initiatives, technology, and rehabilitation programs.

On the security front, several strong operations were carried out to reclaim control from the Maoists. One of the first major initiatives was Operation Green Hunt (2009–2011), a large-scale coordinated offensive led by CRPF, COBRA, and state police forces. It marked the beginning of an aggressive campaign to take back Maoist-controlled zones.

The next major step came with the Samadhan Doctrine introduced in 2017. The word “Samadhan” stands for Solution, and the doctrine itself represents a smart and structured approach. It emphasised smart leadership, aggressive strategy, motivation, actionable intelligence, and use of technology to fight the Maoist threat. It brought in data-driven policing, better coordination between central and state agencies, and a focus on minimising collateral damage.

Later came operations such as Operation Prahar (2021–2024) and Operation Double Hull (2024), which used drones, satellites, and real-time monitoring systems to identify and eliminate Maoist hideouts. The use of technology has played a crucial role in gaining accurate intelligence and reducing casualties.

But the government realised that the fight could not be won by bullets alone. The Naxal issue was not just a law and order problem, it was deeply rooted in poverty, isolation, and lack of development. Therefore, a major focus was also given to development initiatives in the affected areas.

One of the biggest steps taken was the Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Areas. Under this, more than 11,000 kilometres of roads were approved, and nearly the same length has already been completed. Roads might seem like simple infrastructure, but in these regions, they are lifelines. They connect remote villages to markets, schools, hospitals, and opportunities. Roads also allow better security access, ensuring that both governance and growth reach the people.

The Aspirational Districts Programme was another important initiative. It targeted backward districts such as Dantewada, Malkangiri, and Gadchiroli, focusing on education, healthcare, and livelihood. By improving basic services, the programme aims to integrate these communities into the national mainstream.

Another important step was the push for mobile and digital connectivity. More than 3,500 mobile towers have been installed in remote and tribal areas, connecting villages that were earlier cut off. Connectivity brings awareness, access to government services, and a sense of belonging to the national network.

Education too has been a game-changer. Eklavya Model Residential Schools have been set up to provide quality education to children from tribal communities. These schools not only educate but also empower the next generation to dream beyond their geographical and social limitations.

A powerful example of the impact of development can be seen in Odisha’s Gurupriya Bridge. This one bridge connected 151 previously isolated villages, which were once Maoist-dominated. Today, those villages are witnessing change through trade, transport, and tourism. This transformation shows how bridges and roads can succeed where weapons failed.

However, along with security and development, the government also focused on rehabilitation. It was clear that people who had taken up arms needed an opportunity to return to normal life. The government offered surrender and rehabilitation policies, under which Naxalites who laid down their weapons were given financial assistance, training, and jobs. Since 2018, more than 9,000 Naxalites have surrendered.

Various schemes such as Roshni, Skill India, and PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) have been implemented to provide skill training and employment opportunities in these regions. By creating livelihood alternatives, the government is ensuring that the youth do not fall prey again to extremist ideologies.

Legal and governance reforms also played an important role. The PESA Act (1996) and Forest Rights Act (2006), which give greater rights to tribal communities over land and forest resources, have been implemented more effectively. Alongside these, the Jan Sampark Abhiyan has improved direct communication between the government and tribal communities, helping dispel misinformation spread by Maoist groups.

All these combined efforts – security, development, rehabilitation, and governance – have brought visible change. The level of violence has dropped by 90%, elections are now held peacefully, and governance has been restored in many regions that were once ruled by fear.

But while India’s achievements are significant, some challenges still remain. There are residual Maoist pockets, particularly in the Abujhmaad region of Chhattisgarh, where dense forests and terrain make operations difficult. In addition, socioeconomic issues such as land rights, displacement due to mining, and environmental concerns still need careful handling. If these grievances are ignored, they can once again be exploited by extremist groups.

Another area of concern is human rights. While security operations are necessary, it is important that they are conducted with fairness and accountability. Maintaining trust between the state and the local population is essential for long-term peace.

Therefore, the road ahead must balance security with development, force with faith, and punishment with rehabilitation. The real victory will come when development reaches every household, and when people themselves reject violence as a means of change.

The future focus should be on sustained development, technology-driven policing, and strengthening local governance through Panchayati Raj institutions. These local bodies play a crucial role in ensuring that government schemes reach the grassroots. The surrendered cadres must also be integrated into society, given dignity, and involved in rebuilding their communities.

India’s war against Naxalism was not won by bullets alone. It was won through bridges, schools, roads, trust, and communication. It was won because the state decided to not only fight the rebels but also heal the people. The transformation of the Red Corridor into a Growth Corridor stands as a testament to India’s resilience, patience, and vision.

As we move toward 2047, when India aims to become a developed nation, the lessons from this success are invaluable. They remind us that development and peace are deeply connected. The fall of Naxalism is not just about the end of violence, it is about the rise of hope, opportunity, and inclusion. It shows that when the government listens, acts, and empowers, even the most troubled regions can become symbols of progress.

So when we talk about India’s hidden victories, this one surely stands tall. The story of Naxalism is a story of struggle, but more importantly, it is a story of change. It tells us that transformation is possible, not through fear, but through faith; not through destruction, but through development.

The journey from the Red Corridor to the Growth Corridor is one of India’s most powerful and least celebrated achievements. It is a proof that the strongest revolutions are not those fought with guns, but those built on roads, schools, and the trust of the people.

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