Naxalite–Maoist insurgency

The Naxalite–Maoist insurgency was a long-term conflict in India. It involved the Indian government and various left-wing extremist groups. These groups followed Maoist political ideology. They aimed to launch a rural rebellion known as a "people's war."

This movement sought to fundamentally change how power and land were managed in the country. It created decades of tension between the state and radical factions.

The movement began with the Naxalbari uprising in 1967. A group called the Siliguri group led this effort. Key leaders included Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal. They wanted to redistribute land to the landless. In May 1967, the Siliguri Kishan Sabha declared its support for armed struggle. This led to a violent clash in Naxalbari. In that fight, 11 people died, including a police inspector.

By April 1969, the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) was formed.

As the years passed, the movement fractured into many pieces. Charu Majumdar introduced an "annihilation line." This policy called for the assassination of perceived class enemies. These targets included landlords, businessmen, and police officers. The government responded with heavy countermeasures. In 1972, the West Bengal Police arrested Majumdar. He later died while in police custody. This led to extreme sectarianism. The original party split into more than 40 small, separate groups.

In the 1980s, the insurgency grew in South India. Kondapalli Seetharamaiah founded the People's War Group (PWG) in 1980. This group established strongholds near the Andhra Pradesh and Orissa border. They used tactics like kidnapping landlords to force apologies to villagers. In response, the Andhra Pradesh government formed a special task force called the Greyhounds.

The state also used special laws to detain suspected fighters. They also created rehabilitation programs for those who chose to surrender.

The conflict reached its most intense peak in the 2000s. In 2004, the CPI-Maoist was formed through a merger. This new group combined the People's War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India. Violence increased significantly during this period. Between 2005 and 2008, an average of 700 people died every year. The years 2009 and 2010 were the deadliest. During those two years, more than 1,000 people were killed annually.

The government launched Operation Green Hunt in 2009 to combat the insurgents.

Since 2010, the insurgency has been on a steady decline. The Indian government used a dual approach. They used military operations and economic development plans. This strategy is known as the Integrated Action Plan. It focused on funding grassroots projects in affected areas. The influence of the Naxalites began to shrink. The "red corridor" was the name for their zone of influence. This zone once covered nearly 180 districts in the late 2000s.

By 2025, that number had dropped to only 12 districts.

Significant numbers show how much the landscape has changed. Since the year 2000, over 5,000 insurgents have been killed. Between 2015 and 2025, more than 10,000 people surrendered to the government. These surrenders helped restore governance to former strongholds. Many state governments, such as Chhattisgarh, announced the end of armed Naxalism. By the deadline of March 31, 2026, the Indian government claimed victory. They declared the country to be "Naxal-free."

Despite this declaration, the situation is not entirely resolved. At least two Maoist commanders remain active today. The history of the conflict shows how political ideology can lead to long-term social unrest. It also shows how development and security measures can change a nation's stability. The movement's end marks a major shift in Indian history. It reflects the complex relationship between rural populations and central governance.