Raipur: Is the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist) considering a return to the mainstream?
In a purported statement, the party has announced a temporary suspension of its armed struggle to facilitate peace talks. It has also asked the government to declare a month-long ceasefire.
The Maoists have suffered severe losses since 2024 and lost several top leaders in encounters with security forces. The party’s Central Committee (CC) has said that over 350 cadres were killed since security forces launched a massive offensive in 2024.
Most of those killed were in Chhattisgarh, a stronghold of the rebels. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced plans to eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE) from the country by the end of March 2026.
The Chhattisgarh government is verifying the authenticity of the two-page statement, purportedly issued by Abhay, spokesperson of the CC of the CPI (Maoist) that appeared on social media.
Security experts are trying to ascertain whether the Naxalites really want peace or simply buying time to regroup after the heavy losses it suffered.
In the statement, the Maoists have appealed to the government to share their decision on the issue via Internet and government news media, including radio.
The statement, dated August 15, came nearly four months after the killing of Nambala Keshav Rao alias Basavaraju, general of secretary of the CPI (Maoist), in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region.
There is a note with the statement saying that there was a delay in delivery due to certain reasons.
In the purported statement, the Maoists have claimed that they had proposed a ceasefire to the government earlier as well, asking for a month’s time to consult with the top leadership.
Unfortunately, the central government did not express its favorable stand on it. Rather, it has further intensified its operations, it has been stated.
“To take forward the process of peace talks that was started on the initiative of the party’s general secretary (Late Basavaraju), we are making it clear that in view of the changed global and national circumstances, as well as the continuous requests being made by the country’s Prime Minister, Home Minister and senior police officers to give up arms and join the mainstream, we have decided to shun arms,” it added.
“We have decided to declare a temporary halt to the armed struggle. We are making it clear that in the future, we will fight shoulder to shoulder with all political parties and organizations fighting for the public cause as far as possible,” it was further stated.
“We are ready to talk to the Union Home Minister or persons appointed by him or a delegation on this issue. But we will have to inform the party about our changed opinion. Therefore, our request to the Central Government is to give us one month to consult with our comrades working in different states across the country and those imprisoned,” it said.
“We are also ready to exchange views with the government on this subject, primarily through video call. Therefore, we are making it clear once again that (government should) immediately declare a formal ceasefire for a month, stop search operations and take forward the peace process,” the CC statement added.
Sundarraj P, IGP, Bastar Range, said that the police have taken note of the statement released in the name of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee regarding laying down of arms and the prospect of peace talks.
Its authenticity is being verified and there will be no letting down of guard till any concrete decision is reached, he said, ading that it is upon the government to decide on any engagement or dialogue with the CPI (Maoist). The government will take an appropriate call after due consideration and assessment of the situation and circumstances.
Vijay Sharma, deputy chief minister, Chhattisgarh, told reporters that the best way for Maoists is to surrender and avail rehabilitation benefits.
“The term ‘ceasefire’ is highly objectionable as there is no war like situation that requires one. In a democracy, talks cannot be conditional, yet once again, they have set preconditions. However, after verifying the statement, discussions will be held within the government,” he said.
