Communist Party of India (Maoist): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Maoist political party and militant group in India}}
{{Short description|Militant Maoist political party in India}}
{{Other uses|Communist Party of India (disambiguation)}}
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{{Copy edit|date=October 2025}}
{{use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{use Indian English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox political party
{{Infobox political party
|name=Communist Party of India (Maoist)
| name             = Communist Party of India (Maoist)
|logo=South_Asian_Communist_Banner.svg
| logo             =
|colorcode=Red <!--{{party color|Communist Party of India (Maoist)}}-->
| flag            = South_Asian_Communist_Banner.svg
|abbreviation=CPI (Maoist)
| colorcode       = {{party color|Communist Party of India (Maoist)}}
|general_secretary=[[Nambala Keshava Rao]]
| abbreviation     = CPI (Maoist)
|founded=21 September 2004
| general_secretary = [[Thippiri Tirupathi]]{{Surrendered}}
|merger={{•}} [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War]]<br />{{•}} [[Maoist Communist Centre of India]]<br />{{•}} [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Naxalbari]]
| founded         = 21 September 2004
|student_wing={{•}} [[All India Revolutionary Students Federation]]<br />{{•}} [[Radical Students Union]]
| merger           = {{•}}[[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War|CPI(ML) People's War]]<br/>{{•}}[[Maoist Communist Centre of India|MCC]]<br/>{{•}}[[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Naxalbari|CPI(ML) Naxalbari]]
|youth_wing=[[Radical Youth League]]
| banned          = 22 June 2009
|womens_wing=[[Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan]]
| student_wing     = {{•}}[[All India Revolutionary Students Federation|AIRSF]]<br/>{{•}}[[Radical Students Union]]
|wing1_title=Paramilitary wings
| youth_wing       = [[Radical Youth League]]
|wing1={{•}} [[People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (India)|People's Liberation Guerrilla Army]]: 9,000–10,000 (September 2013)<!--See: [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)#Estimated strength]]--><br />{{•}} People's Militia (armed with bows, arrows and machetes): 38,000<!--See: [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)#Estimated strength]]-->
| womens_wing     = [[Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan]]
|wing2_title=[[Trade union]] wing
| wing1_title     = Paramilitary wings
|wing2=[[Singareni Karmika Samakya]]
| wing1           = {{•}}[[People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (India)|PLGA]]<br/>{{•}}People's Militia<!--See: [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)#Estimated strength]]-->
|wing3_title=Cultural organisation
| wing2_title     = [[Trade union]] wing
|wing3=[[Chetna Natya Manch]]
| wing2           = [[Singareni Karmika Samakya|Sikasa]] (alleged)
|ideology=[[Communism]]<br />[[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism]]<br />[[Naxalite|Naxalism]]
| wing3_title     = Cultural organisation
|position=[[Far-left politics|Far-left]]
| wing3           = [[Chetna Natya Manch]]
|colours={{color box|red|border=darkgray}} [[Red]]
| ideology         = {{ubl|class=nowrap|[[Communism]]|[[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism]]}}
|blank1_title=Motives
| position         = [[Far-left politics|Far-left]]
|blank1=Overthrow of the [[government of India|government]] of [[India|Republic of India]] by means of armed rebellion
| blank1_title     = Motives
<br />Establishment of a [[Maoism|Maoist]] regime in India
| blank1           = *Overthrow of the [[Government of India]] by means of armed rebellion<ref name="Myrdal 183–184">{{cite book|title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising: Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences|chapter=Appendix–III|first=Jan|last=Myrdal|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani|pages=183–184|place=Kolkata|isbn=978-93-80677-20-0|oclc=858528997|quote=The Dandakaranya Janathana Circars of today are the basis for the Indian People's Democratic Federal Republic of tomorrow.... In any social revolution, including the Indian New Democratic Revolution, the most crucial, central and main question is that of (state) power. Our party is striving to establish area wise power by mobilising people politically into the protracted people's war, building the people's army (in the form of guerrilla army) and destroying the state machinery of the enemy–ruling classes. It is a part of this revolutionary process that it is establishing Janathana Sarkars in Dandakaranya.}}</ref>
<br />"To destroy the [[State (polity)|state]] machinery and establish the Indian People's Democratic Federative Republic"<ref>{{cite book |title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising : Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences |chapter=Appendix–III |first=Jan |last=Myrdal |date=5 May 2014 |publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani |pages=183–184 |place=Kolkata |isbn=978-93-80677-20-0 |oclc=858528997 |quote=The Dandakaranya Janathana Circars of today are the basis for the Indian People's Democratic Federal Republic of tomorrow.... In any social revolution, including the Indian New Democratic Revolution, the most crucial, central and main question is that of (state) power. Our party is striving to establish area wise power by mobilising people politically into the protracted people's war, building the people's army (in the form of guerrilla army) and destroying the state machinery of the enemy–ruling classes. It is a part of this revolutionary process that it is establishing Janathana Sarkars in Dandakaranya.}}</ref>
*Establishment of a [[Maoist]] regime in India<ref name="Myrdal 183–184">{{cite book|title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising: Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences|chapter=Appendix–III|first=Jan|last=Myrdal|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani|pages=183–184|place=Kolkata|isbn=978-93-80677-20-0|oclc=858528997|quote=The Dandakaranya Janathana Circars of today are the basis for the Indian People's Democratic Federal Republic of tomorrow.... In any social revolution, including the Indian New Democratic Revolution, the most crucial, central and main question is that of (state) power. Our party is striving to establish area wise power by mobilising people politically into the protracted people's war, building the people's army (in the form of guerrilla army) and destroying the state machinery of the enemy–ruling classes. It is a part of this revolutionary process that it is establishing Janathana Sarkars in Dandakaranya.}}</ref>
|blank2_title=Active region(s)
*To destroy the [[State (polity)|state]] machinery and establish the Indian People's Democratic Federative Republic<ref name="Myrdal 183–184">{{cite book|title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising: Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences|chapter=Appendix–III|first=Jan|last=Myrdal|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani|pages=183–184|place=Kolkata|isbn=978-93-80677-20-0|oclc=858528997|quote=The Dandakaranya Janathana Circars of today are the basis for the Indian People's Democratic Federal Republic of tomorrow.... In any social revolution, including the Indian New Democratic Revolution, the most crucial, central and main question is that of (state) power. Our party is striving to establish area wise power by mobilising people politically into the protracted people's war, building the people's army (in the form of guerrilla army) and destroying the state machinery of the enemy–ruling classes. It is a part of this revolutionary process that it is establishing Janathana Sarkars in Dandakaranya.}}</ref>
|blank2=India<br />(mainly in [[Red corridor|Red Corridor]])
| blank2_title     = Active region(s)
|blank3_title=Status
| blank2           = India (mainly in [[Red corridor]])
|blank3= *Designated as a terrorist organisation by {{IND}} <ref name=MaoTerrorist>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=49325|title=CPI (Maoist) included in list of terrorist organizations to avoid any ambiguity|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref>
| blank3_title     = Status
** Designated as unlawful association by the [[Madhya Pradesh]] government
| blank3           = *Designated as a terrorist organisation by India<ref name=MaoTerrorist>{{cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=49325|title=CPI (Maoist) included in list of terrorist organizations to avoid any ambiguity|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref>
**Designated as an unlawful association by the [[Andhra Pradesh]] government
**Designated as unlawful association by the [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], and [[Chhattisgarh]] governments
**Designated as an unlawful association by the [[Chhattisgarh]] government
|blank4_title=Annual revenue and means of revenue
|blank4=Rs. 140 - 250 crores<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/maoists-raise-rs-140-250-crore-a-year-through-extortion-protection-rackets/article1-1095290.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720224025/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Maoists-raise-Rs-140-250-crore-a-year-through-extortion-protection-rackets/Article1-1095290.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 July 2013|title=Maoists raise Rs. 140-250 crore a year through extortion, protection rackets|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=20 July 2013|access-date=10 November 2013|author=Tikku, Aloke}}</ref><br />{{•}} Mining{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}<br />{{•}} Abductions, extortions of landowners and companies<ref name=time20080529/><ref name=cfrbackgrounder/><ref name=ipcs/>
|country=India
|footnotes=}}
The '''Communist Party of India (Maoist)''' is a [[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism|Maoist]]<ref>{{cite book |title=South Asia Defence And Strategic Year Book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZlVXtIsXCxYC&pg=PA62 |pages=62–63 |authors=Deepak Kapoor, AVSM PVSM, SM VSM Chief of Army Staff (India) |publisher=Pentagon Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-8182743991}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/cpi-maoist-commander-hidma-promoted-to-central-committee/article19653439.ece|title=CPI (Maoist) commander Hidma promoted to Central Committee|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 September 2017|access-date=April 27, 2019|last1=Dahat|first1=Pavan}}</ref> [[Communism|communist]] political party and militant organization<ref>{{Cite web|last=(Marxist)|first=Communist Party of India|date=October–December 2005|title=Maoism: An Exercise in Anarchism|url=https://www.cpim.org/marxist/200504-Maoism.doc|website=cpim.org}}</ref> in India which aims to overthrow the "semi-colonial and semi-feudal Indian state" through [[people's war]]. It was founded on 21 September 2004, through the merger of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War]] (People's War Group) and the [[Maoist Communist Centre of India]] (MCCI). The CPI (Maoist) are often referred to as the [[Naxalite]]s, in reference to the [[Naxalbari]] [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|insurrection]] conducted by radical Maoists in [[West Bengal]] since 1967.<ref name="Rahul"/> The party has been designated as a terrorist organisation in India under the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maoists-fourth-deadliest-terror-outfit-after-taliban-is-boko-haram-report/articleshow/54354196.cms|title=Maoists fourth deadliest terror outfit after Taliban, IS, Boko Haram: Report|website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/864540/are-all-terrorists-really-muslims/|title=Most terrorists in India are Hindus, the ones whom we have conveniently labelled 'Maoist' instead of 'Hindu'.|date=4 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/718458/most-extremists-in-india-are-not-muslim-they-are-hindu|title = Most extremists in India are not Muslim – they are Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/are-most-terrorists-in-india-muslims/293911|title = Are Most Terrorists in India Muslims?}}</ref>


In 2006, Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] referred to the Naxalites as "the single biggest internal security challenge" for India,<ref name=time20080529>{{Cite news | last = Robinson | first = Simon | title = India's Secret War | newspaper = Time | date = 29 May 2008 | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810169-1,00.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602152918/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810169-1,00.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2 June 2008}}</ref><ref name=econ20091105>{{Cite news | title = India's Naxalite Rebellion: The red heart of India | newspaper = The Economist | location = London | date = 5 November 2009 | url = http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14820724 | access-date = 30 January 2010}}</ref> and said that the "deprived and alienated sections of the population" form the backbone of the Maoist movement in India.<ref>{{cite news |title=India's Ragtag Band of Maoists Takes Root Among Rural Poor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/12/AR2006051202039_pf.html |first=John |last=Lancaster |publisher=Washington Post Foreign Service |date=13 May 2006 |access-date=30 August 2013}}</ref> The government officials have declared that, in 2013, 76 districts in the country were affected by "[[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|Naxal terrorism]]", with another 106 districts in ideological influence.<ref name="SATP–2014">{{cite web |title=India: Maoist Conflict Map 2014 |url=http://satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/database/LWE_conflictmap2014.html |publisher=SATP |location=New Delhi |year=2014 |access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> In 2020, the activities of the party began to increase again in [[Telangana]] and other areas.<ref name=TheHindu>{{Cite news | title = The return of the Maoists in Telangana | newspaper = The Hindu | location = London | date = 8 August 2020 | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/maoists-are-making-a-comeback-in-telangana/article32298580.ece#! | access-date = 31 August 2020}}</ref>
| country          = India
| footnotes        =
}}
{{Communist Parties|Asia}}
{{Communism in India|expanded=all}}
The '''Communist Party of India (Maoist)''' is a banned [[Marxist–Leninist–Maoist]]<ref>{{cite book|title=South Asia Defence And Strategic Year Book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZlVXtIsXCxYC&pg=PA62|pages=62–63|author=Deepak Kapoor|publisher=Pentagon Press|year=2009|isbn=978-81-8274-399-1}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/cpi-maoist-commander-hidma-promoted-to-central-committee/article19653439.ece|title=CPI (Maoist) commander Hidma promoted to Central Committee|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 September 2017|access-date=April 27, 2019|last1=Dahat|first1=Pavan}}</ref> [[Communism|communist]] political party and militant organization<ref>{{Cite web|date=October–December 2005|title=Maoism: An Exercise in Anarchism|url=https://www.cpim.org/marxist/200504-Maoism.doc|website=CPIM|access-date=17 December 2020|archive-date=2 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702175121/https://www.cpim.org/marxist/200504-Maoism.doc|url-status=dead}}</ref> in India which aims to overthrow the [[India|Republic of India]] through [[people's war|protracted people's war]]. It was founded on 21 September 2004, through the merger of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War|CPIML People's War]] and the [[Maoist Communist Centre of India|MCCI]]. The party has been designated as a terrorist organisation in India under the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] since 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/maoists-fourth-deadliest-terror-outfit-after-taliban-is-boko-haram-report/articleshow/54354196.cms|title=Maoists fourth deadliest terror outfit after Taliban, IS, Boko Haram: Report|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/864540/are-all-terrorists-really-muslims/|title=Most terrorists in India are Hindus, the ones whom we have conveniently labelled 'Maoist' instead of 'Hindu'.|date=4 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/718458/most-extremists-in-india-are-not-muslim-they-are-hindu|title=Most extremists in India are not Muslim – they are Hindu|date=6 April 2015 |last1=Patel |first1=Aakar }}</ref>


{{Communist parties|Asia=India (CPI(Mst))}}
In 2006, Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] referred to the Maoists as "the single biggest internal security challenge" for India,<ref name=time20080529>{{Cite news|last=Robinson|first=Simon|title=India's Secret War|newspaper=Time|date=29 May 2008|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810169-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602152918/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1810169-1,00.html|archive-date=2 June 2008}}</ref><ref name=econ20091105>{{Cite news|title=India's Naxalite Rebellion: The red heart of India|newspaper=The Economist|location=London|date=5 November 2009|url=http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14820724|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref> and said that the "deprived and alienated sections of the population" form the backbone of the Maoist movement in India.<ref>{{cite news|title=India's Ragtag Band of Maoists Takes Root Among Rural Poor|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/12/AR2006051202039_pf.html|first=John|last=Lancaster|newspaper=Washington Post|date=13 May 2006|access-date=30 August 2013}}</ref> The government officials have declared that, in 2013, 76 districts in the country were affected by "[[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|left wing extremism]]", with another 106 districts in ideological influence.<ref name="SATP–2014">{{cite web|title=India: Maoist Conflict Map 2014|url=http://satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/database/LWE_conflictmap2014.html|publisher=SATP|location=New Delhi|year=2014|access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref> [[Chhattisgarh]] is often affected by the party's militant activities.
 
In 2024, the party faced a major setback when the government increased their counterinsurgency operations in states affected by the insurgency.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Time has come for ruthless, final blow to finish Maoists by 2026: Amit Shah says in Chhattisgarh|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/time-has-come-for-ruthless-final-blow-to-finish-maoists-by-2026-amit-shah-says-in-chhattisgarh/articleshow/112768662.cms|access-date=2024-08-27|website=[[Times of India]]}}</ref> Another setback occurred in 2025 when the leader of the group [[Nambala Keshava Rao]] was killed in an encounter with Security forces in Chhattisgarh.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Top Maoist leader with ₹1 crore bounty likely killed in Chhattisgarh encounter|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/top-maoist-leader-with-rs-1-crore-bounty-likely-killed-in-chhattisgarh-encounter-101747812927100.html|access-date=2025-05-21|website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
The Communist Party of India (Maoist) was founded on 21 September 2004, through the merger of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War]] (People's War Group), and the [[Maoist Communist Centre of India]] (MCCI). The merger was announced on 14 October the same year. In the merger a provisional central committee was constituted, with the erstwhile People's War Group leader [[Ganapathy (Maoist)|Muppala Lakshmana Rao]], alias "Ganapathi", as general secretary.<ref name=satpprofile/> Further, on [[May Day]] 2014, the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Naxalbari]] merged into the CPI (Maoist).<ref name="CPIML-MAO-Merge">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/cpiml-naxalbari-cpimaoist-merge/article5964758.ece|title=CPI(ML) Naxalbari, CPI(Maoist) merge|work=The Hindu|date=May 1, 2014|agency=The Hindu|access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref>
The Communist Party of India (Maoist) was founded on 21 September 2004, through the merger of the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War]] (People's War Group), and the [[Maoist Communist Centre of India]] (MCCI). The high-level bi-lateral meetings between the two erstwhile parties started in February 2003<ref name=":0"/> and continued for several months, entailing discussions on major questions concerning their future political orientation. In the course of these, unity could be found and 5 Key Papers for the new, unified organisation were finalized and adopted:
 
• "Hold High the Bright Red Banner of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism", a primarily ideological document explaining the unified party's understanding of the development and content of [[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism|Marxism–Leninism-Maoism]]. It forms the cornerstone of the party's ideological-political principles and views.
 
• "[https://bannedthought.net/India/CPI-Maoist-Docs/Founding/Programme-pamphlet.pdf Party Programme]", a concise 35-point outline of the party's general political line, synthesized out of more than 30 years of experience of the MCCI and the PWG. It includes the Indian Revolution's minimum and maximum programmes for establishing [[Communism|Socialism-Communism]] as to the Maoists.
 
• "[https://bannedthought.net/India/CPI-Maoist-Docs/Founding/Constitution.doc Party Constitution]", the foremost political-organisational document laying down the Maoists' general programme, the rights and duties of their members, [[party discipline]], [[Democratic centralism|organisational structure]] and how they acquire their funds for operations.
 
• "[https://bannedthought.net/India/CPI-Maoist-Docs/Founding/StrategyTactics-pamphlet.pdf Strategy and Tactics of the Indian Revolution]", an elaborate [[class analysis]] of Indian society, followed up by "the determination of the main blow" of the CPI (Maoist)'s forces at its given stage, as well as the forms of struggle and organisation the Maoists see as appropriate for achieving their aim of "[[New Democracy|New Democratic]] and [[Revolutionary socialism|Socialist Revolution]]".
 
• "[https://bannedthought.net/India/CPI-Maoist-Docs/Founding/PoliticalResolution-pamphlet.pdf Political Resolution]", a detailed analysis of India's Domestic Situation, as well as the International Situation, alongside its call for build the "subjective forces", i.e. the communists' [[Vanguardism|vanguard]]-capability, to utilize what they evaluated as an "excellent revolutionary situation".
 
The merger was first declared in a "Unity Commune" formed with extensive cultural programmes and security precautions which went on from early September to early October.<ref>"[https://bannedthought.net/India/CPI-Maoist-Docs/Founding/HailFormationOfCPI(Maoist)-2004.pdf Hail the Formation of Communist Party of India (Maoist)]", a 32-page pamphlet by Redical Publications, published in Kolkata in 2004. (see: pp. 2-4 & materials between pp. 12-14)</ref> Following that, the founding of the unified party was finally announced to the public on 14 October of the same year.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2004-10-14|title=PWG and MCC merge to form new party|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/PWG-and-MCC-merge-to-form-new-party/articleshow/885422.cms|access-date=2024-09-19|work=The Times of India|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2004-10-14|title=Red alert: MCC and PW merge|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Red-alert-MCC-and-PW-merge/articleshow/885786.cms|access-date=2024-09-19|work=The Times of India|issn=0971-8257}}</ref> In the course of the merger, a provisional central committee was constituted, with the erstwhile People's War Group leader [[Ganapathy (Maoist)|Muppala Lakshmana Rao]], alias "Ganapathi", as general secretary.<ref name="satpprofile"/> Further, on [[May Day]] 2014, the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Naxalbari]] merged into the CPI (Maoist).<ref name="CPIML-MAO-Merge">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/cpiml-naxalbari-cpimaoist-merge/article5964758.ece|title=CPI(ML) Naxalbari, CPI(Maoist) merge|work=The Hindu|date=May 1, 2014|agency=The Hindu|access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref>


==Ideology==
==Ideology==
{{Indcom|date=November 2009}}
The CPI (Maoist) observes that the Indian [[State (polity)|state]] is being "run by a collaboration of [[Imperialism|imperialists]], the [[comprador]] [[bourgeoisie]] and [[Feudalism|feudal lords]]."<ref>{{cite news|title=Several leaders in jail, Ganapathy had to address his fighting men|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata/several-leaders-in-jail-ganapathy-had-to-address-his-fighting-men/article1-1124090.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919042805/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Several-leaders-in-jail-Ganapathy-had-to-address-his-fighting-men/Article1-1124090.aspx|archive-date=19 September 2013|first=Snigdhendu|last=Bhattacharya|newspaper=Hindustan Times|location=Kolkata|date=19 September 2013|access-date=15 March 2014}}</ref> According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, the two factions of the Party adhered to differing strands of communism prior to their 2004 merger, although "both organizations shared their belief in the 'annihilation of [[Enemy of the people|class enemies]]' and in extreme violence as a means to secure organizational goals." The People's War Group (PWG) maintained a [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]] stance, while the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI) took a [[Maoism|Maoist]] stance. After the merger, the PWG secretary of [[Andhra Pradesh]] announced that the newly formed CPI-Maoist would follow [[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism]] as its "ideological basis guiding its thinking in all spheres of its activities." Included in this ideology is a commitment to "protracted [[War|armed struggle]]" to undermine and to seize power from the state.<ref name=satpprofile/> On May Day 2014, Ganapathy and Ajith (Secretary of the CPI (ML) Naxalbari) also issued a joint statement stating that "the unified party would [continue to] take Marxism-Leninism-Maoism as its guiding ideology."<ref name="CPIML-MAO-Merge"/>
The CPI (Maoist) observes that the Indian [[State (polity)|state]] is being "run by a collaboration of [[Imperialism|imperialists]], the [[comprador]] [[bourgeoisie]] and [[Feudalism|feudal lords]]."<ref>{{cite news|title=Several leaders in jail, Ganapathy had to address his fighting men|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata/several-leaders-in-jail-ganapathy-had-to-address-his-fighting-men/article1-1124090.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919042805/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Several-leaders-in-jail-Ganapathy-had-to-address-his-fighting-men/Article1-1124090.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2013|first=Snigdhendu|last=Bhattacharya|newspaper=Hindustan Times|location=Kolkata|date=19 September 2013|access-date=15 March 2014}}</ref> According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, the two factions of the Party adhered to differing strands of communism prior to their 2004 merger, although "both organizations shared their belief in the 'annihilation of [[Enemy of the people|class enemies]]' and in extreme violence as a means to secure organizational goals." The People's War Group (PWG) maintained a [[Marxism–Leninism|Marxist–Leninist]] stance, while the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI) took a [[Maoism|Maoist]] stance. After the merger, the PWG secretary of [[Andhra Pradesh]] announced that the newly formed CPI-Maoist would follow [[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism]] as its "ideological basis guiding its thinking in all spheres of its activities." Included in this ideology is a commitment to "protracted [[War|armed struggle]]" to undermine and to seize power from the state.<ref name=satpprofile/> On May Day 2014, Ganapathy and Ajith (Secretary of the CPI (ML) Naxalbari) also issued a joint statement stating that "the unified party would [continue to] take Marxism-Leninism-Maoism as its guiding ideology."<ref name="CPIML-MAO-Merge"/>


The ideology of the party is contained in a "Party Programme." In the document, the Maoists denounce [[Global justice movement|globalisation as a war on the people]] by [[Market fundamentalism|market fundamentalists]] and the [[Caste system in India|caste system]] as a form of social oppression.<ref name=anand>{{Cite journal|first=Vinod|last=Anand|title=Naxalite ideology, strategy and tactics|journal=Studies & Comments 9 – Security in South Asia: Conventional and Unconventional Factors of Destabilization|volume=9|pages=19–32|publisher=Hanns Seidel Foundation|location=Munich|year=2009|url=http://www.hss.de/uploads/tx_ddceventsbrowser/SC-9_South-Asia_01.pdf|access-date=19 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518115713/http://www.hss.de/uploads/tx_ddceventsbrowser/SC-9_South-Asia_01.pdf|archive-date=18 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The CPI (Maoist) claim that they are conducting a "[[people's war]]", a strategic approach developed by [[Mao Zedong]] during the guerrilla warfare phase of the [[Chinese Communist Party|Communist Party of China]]. Their eventual objective is to install a "people's government" via a [[New Democracy|New Democratic Revolution]].<ref name=anand/>
The ideology of the party is contained in a "Party Programme." In the document, the Maoists denounce [[Global justice movement|globalisation as a war on the people]] by [[Market fundamentalism|market fundamentalists]] and the [[Caste system in India|caste system]] as a form of social oppression.<ref name=anand>{{Cite journal|first=Vinod|last=Anand|title=Naxalite ideology, strategy and tactics|journal=Studies & Comments 9 – Security in South Asia: Conventional and Unconventional Factors of Destabilization|volume=9|pages=19–32|publisher=Hanns Seidel Foundation|location=Munich|year=2009|url=http://www.hss.de/uploads/tx_ddceventsbrowser/SC-9_South-Asia_01.pdf|access-date=19 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518115713/http://www.hss.de/uploads/tx_ddceventsbrowser/SC-9_South-Asia_01.pdf|archive-date=18 May 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The CPI (Maoist) claim that they are conducting a "[[people's war]]", a strategic approach developed by [[Mao Zedong]] during the guerrilla warfare phase of the [[Chinese Communist Party]]. Their eventual objective is to install a "people's government" via a [[New Democracy|New Democratic Revolution]].<ref name=anand/>


==Location and prominence==
==Location and prominence==
CPI(M) currently operates in the forest belt around central India in the states of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Bihar]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Odisha]]. It is present even in remote regions of Jharkhand and [[Andhra Pradesh]], as well as in Bihar and the tribal-dominated areas in the borderlands of [[Chhattisgarh]], Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Odisha. The CPI (Maoist) aims to consolidate its power in this area and establish a [[Red corridor|Compact Revolutionary Zone]] from which to advance the people's war in other parts of India.<ref name=satpprofile/> A 2005 ''[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]'' cover story called the [[Bhamragad]] [[Tehsil|Taluka]], where the [[Madia Gond]] [[Adivasi]]s live, the heart of the Naxalite-affected region in [[Maharashtra]].<ref>[http://www.flonnet.com/fl2221/stories/20051021008701600.htm Guerilla zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221144918/http://www.flonnet.com/fl2221/stories/20051021008701600.htm|date=21 February 2009}}, Frontline, 22(21), 8–21 October 2005 DIONNE BUNSHA in Gadchiroli</ref> Recently, the Indian government has claimed that in 2013, [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Assam]], Bihar, Chhattisgarh, [[Delhi]], [[Gujarat]], [[Haryana]], Jharkhand, [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Odisha]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Tripura]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[West Bengal]] experienced [ideological] "influence" of "Left Wing Extremism"; while claiming that armed activity by the "Left Wing" extremists was noticed in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal.<ref name="SATP–2014"/>
CPI(Maoist) currently operates in the forest belt around central India in the states of [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Bihar]], [[Jharkhand]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Odisha]]. It is present even in remote regions of Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, as well as in Bihar and the tribal-dominated areas in the borderlands of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Odisha. The CPI (Maoist) aims to consolidate its power in this area and establish a [[Red corridor|Compact Revolutionary Zone]] from which to advance the people's war in other parts of India.<ref name=satpprofile/> A 2005 ''[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]'' cover story called the [[Bhamragad]] [[Tehsil|Taluka]], where the [[Madia Gond]] [[Adivasi]]s live, the heart of the Maoist-affected region in Maharashtra.<ref>[http://www.flonnet.com/fl2221/stories/20051021008701600.htm Guerilla zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221144918/http://www.flonnet.com/fl2221/stories/20051021008701600.htm|date=21 February 2009}}, Frontline, 22(21), 8–21 October 2005 DIONNE BUNSHA in Gadchiroli</ref> Recently, the Indian government has claimed that in 2013, Andhra Pradesh, [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Assam]], Bihar, Chhattisgarh, [[Delhi]], [[Gujarat]], [[Haryana]], Jharkhand, [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], Odisha, [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Tripura]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[West Bengal]] experienced [ideological] "influence" of "Left Wing Extremism"; while claiming that armed activity by the "Left Wing" extremists was noticed in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal.<ref name="SATP–2014"/>


==Organisation==
==Organisation==
The current General Secretary of CPI (Maoist) is [[Nambala Keshava Rao]] ''alias'' Basavaraj.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cpi-maoist-gets-a-new-leader-1383395-2018-11-06|title=CPI (Maoist) gets a new leader|website=indiatoday.in|access-date=March 16, 2019}}</ref> He was appointed after Muppala Lakshmana Rao, who uses the alias "[[Ganapathy (Maoist)|Ganapathy]]".<ref name="OPEN-Ganapathy">{{cite web|title="We Shall Certainly Defeat the Government" — Somewhere in the impregnable jungles of Dandakaranya, the supreme commander of CPI (Maoist) spoke to Open on issues ranging from the Government's proposed anti-Naxal offensive to Islamist Jihadist movements|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/we-shall-certainly-defeat-the-government|first=Rahul|last=Pandita|publisher=[[Open (Indian magazine)|OPEN]]|location=Dandakaranya|date=17 October 2009|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> The party hierarchy consists of the Regional Bureaus, which look after two or three states each, the State Committees, the Zonal Committees, the District Committees, and the "dalams" (armed squads).<ref name="toi74">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-07/india/28121624_1_naxal-affected-states-politburo-cadre|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127053330/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-07/india/28121624_1_naxal-affected-states-politburo-cadre|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 January 2013|title=A band of eight that calls the shots|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|date=7 April 2010|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=7 April 2010}}</ref> Communist writer [[Jan Myrdal]] noted that the CPI (Maoist) also organises events like "The Leadership Training Programme" to endure the forces of the [[State (polity)|state]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising : Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences|chapter=The Negative Possibility|first=Jan|last=Myrdal|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani|page=138|place=Kolkata|isbn=978-93-80677-20-0 |oclc=858528997|quote=Yes, that ''The Iron Heel'' will use its murderous might in India to trample down any threat to its power as it has in so many other countries these last centuries is clear. Of-course, I hope that the Communist Party of India (Maoist) will be able to survive this onslaught. The statements of the General Secretary and what I read in texts such as, ''The Leadership Training Programme'' gave me some hope.}}</ref>
The last General Secretary was [[Thippiri Tirupathi]], who was appointed in September 2025 and surrendered in February 2026.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Centre's Maoist deadline looming, how Telangana clinched two key surrenders|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/centres-maoist-deadline-looming-how-telangana-clinched-two-key-surrenders-2873045-2026-02-23|access-date=2026-02-23|website=[[India Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-09 |title=CPI (Maoist) military chief named rebels' new chief: Who is Thippiri Tirupathi, alias Devuji? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/cpi-maoist-military-chief-new-chief-thippiri-tirupathi-devuji-10239784/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-10 |title=CPI (Maoist) gets third Telugu leader as its chief |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/cpi-maoist-gets-third-telugu-leader-as-its-chief-101757443815811.html |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Rajappan">{{Cite web |last=Rajappan |first=Sumi |date=2025-09-10 |title=Telugu leadership resurfaces as Dalit leader Devji appointed CPI (Maoist) chief |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/telangana/story/telangana-dalit-maoist-leader-devji-takes-charge-as-cpi-maoist-general-secretary-2785213-2025-09-10 |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> His predecessor, [[Nambala Keshava Rao]] (''alias'' "Basavaraj") along with 27 other Naxals were killed during a gunfight with Indian security forces in [[Abujhmarh]], [[Chhattisgarh]] on 21 May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-21 |title=An engineer by training, behind most audacious Naxal attacks: Story & significance of Basavaraju, dreaded Maoist leader allegedly killed in encounter |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/basavaraju-dreaded-maoist-leader-killed-chhattisgarh-10019574/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Rao, in turn, took the post after [[Muppala Lakshmana Rao]], who uses the alias "Ganapathy".<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2018 |title=CPI (Maoist) gets a new leader |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/cpi-maoist-gets-a-new-leader-1383395-2018-11-06 |access-date=March 16, 2019 |website=indiatoday.in}}</ref><ref name="OPEN-Ganapathy">{{cite web|title="We Shall Certainly Defeat the Government" — Somewhere in the impregnable jungles of Dandakaranya, the supreme commander of CPI (Maoist) spoke to Open on issues ranging from the Government's proposed anti-Maoist offensive to Islamist Jihadist movements|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/we-shall-certainly-defeat-the-government|first=Rahul|last=Pandita|publisher=[[Open (Indian magazine)|OPEN]]|location=Dandakaranya|date=17 October 2009|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> The party hierarchy consists of the Regional Bureaus, which look after two or three states each, the State Committees, the Zonal Committees, the District Committees, and the "dalams" (armed squads).<ref name="toi74">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-07/india/28121624_1_naxal-affected-states-politburo-cadre|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127053330/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-07/india/28121624_1_naxal-affected-states-politburo-cadre|archive-date=27 January 2013|title=A band of eight that calls the shots|last=Mohan|first=Vishwa|date=7 April 2010|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=7 April 2010}}</ref> Communist writer [[Jan Myrdal]] noted that the CPI (Maoist) also organises events like "The Leadership Training Programme" to endure the forces of the [[State (polity)|state]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising: Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences|chapter=The Negative Possibility|first=Jan|last=Myrdal|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani|page=138|place=Kolkata|isbn=978-93-80677-20-0|oclc=858528997|quote=Yes, that ''The Iron Heel'' will use its murderous might in India to trample down any threat to its power as it has in so many other countries these last centuries is clear. Of-course, I hope that the Communist Party of India (Maoist) will be able to survive this onslaught. The statements of the General Secretary and what I read in texts such as, ''The Leadership Training Programme'' gave me some hope.}}</ref>


===Politburo===
===Politburo===
As per the communist party policies the highest decision making body of the CPI (Maoist) is the [[Politburo]], with thirteen or fourteen members, six of whom were killed or arrested between 2007 and 2010.<ref name="ht1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Hyderabad/Will-take-revenge-if-Azad-is-harmed/Article1-521496.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031193958/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Hyderabad/Will-take-revenge-if-Azad-is-harmed/Article1-521496.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 October 2013|title=Will take revenge if Azad is harmed|last1=Das|first1=Ashok|last2=Bhattacharya|first2=Snigdhendu|date=21 March 2010|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=8 April 2010}}</ref> [[Prashant Bose]] ''alias'' "Kishan-da" and [[Katakam Sudarshan]] ''alias'' Anand,<ref name="HT-963499">{{cite news|title=Hardline strategist to replace Kishenji|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Hardline-strategist-to-replace-Kishenji/Article1-963499.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124193308/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Hardline-strategist-to-replace-Kishenji/Article1-963499.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 November 2012|first=Ravik|last=Bhattacharya|work=Hindustan Times|place=Kolkata|date=23 November 2012|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> are the two most prominent Politburo members of CPI (Maoist). [[B. Sudhakar]] ''alias'' "Kiran" is another Politburo member of CPI (Maoist).<ref name="HT-981635">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Senior-Naxal-leader-Narmada-killed-in-encounter-in-Gadchiroli/Article1-981635.aspx|title=Woman naxal leader killed in Gadchiroli|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|last=Maitra|first=Pradip Kumar|date=27 December 2012|access-date=31 May 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101175017/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Senior-Naxal-leader-Narmada-killed-in-encounter-in-Gadchiroli/Article1-981635.aspx|archive-date=1 January 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Shamsher Singh Sheri]] ''alias'' Karam Singh, who died of Cerebral Malaria-Jaundice on 30 October 2005, was also the party's Politburo member.<ref>{{cite web|title=2005-12-15 – document – CPN-M|url=http://nepalconflictreport.ohchr.org/html/documents/2005-12-15_document_cpn-m_eng.html|publisher=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]|date=15 December 2005|access-date=29 August 2013|quote=Comrade Shamsher Singh Sheri, alias comrade Sher Shing Sheri, alias com. K.S., a Central Committee and Polit Bureau member of Communist Party of India (Maoist), has passed away from us by dangerous diseases Cerebral Malaria-Jaundice. He attained martyrdom on Oct.30, 2005. It is not only a great loss of CPI (Maoist) but also a great loss of the whole proletarian's revolution. The untimely demise of comrade Karam Singh has caused a serious loss to the ongoing revolutionary struggles in India and the world as well.}}</ref> Between 2005 and 2011, the State captured several Politburo members of the party, which includes – [[Sushil Roy]] ''alias'' Som, [[Narayan Sanyal (politician)|Narayan Sanyal]] ''alias'' N. Prasad, [[Pramod Mishra]], [[Amitabh Bagchi]], [[Kobad Ghandy]], [[Baccha Prasad Singh]], [[Anukul Chandra Naskar]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/police-arrest-maoist-politburo-member-in-assam-770695.html|title=Police arrest Maoist politburo member in Assam|website=Firstpost|date=10 May 2013|access-date=2019-07-29}}</ref> and Akhilesh Yadav.<ref name="ET-30189393">{{cite news|title=Ganapathy, Kishanji on top of government's most-wanted Maoists list|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-22/news/30189393_1_central-committee-lakh-reward-kishanji|work=[[The Economic Times]]|first=Bharti|last=Jain|place=New Delhi|date=22 September 2011|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> [[Ashutosh Tudu]]<ref name="ht1"/> and Anuj Thakur<ref name="TOI-20322245">{{cite news|title=Maoist politburo member arrested, girlfriend flees|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Maoist-politburo-member-arrested-girlfriend-flees/articleshow/20322245.cms|first=Alok K. N.|last=Mishra|newspaper=The Times of India|publisher=The Times Group|date=29 May 2013|access-date=22 August 2013|place=Ranchi}}</ref> are another two of the arrested Politburo members of the party. [[Deo Kumar Singh|Arvind Ji]] alias [[Deo Kumar Singh]], a [[politburo]] member died in heart attack on 21, March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jharkhand-s-top-maoist-commander-arvindji-dies-of-heart-attack/story-7qQlkkw89yuAsTz5WGiWaN.html|title=Jharkhand's top Maoist commander Arvindji died of heart attack: Police|website=hindustantimes.com|date=21 March 2018|access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref> Among those killed, Cherukuri Rajkumar ''alias'' "[[Azad (Maoist)|Azad]]"<ref>{{cite news|title=Maoist No. 3 Azad killed in Andhra|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-03/india/28274156_1_encounter-in-adilabad-district-azad-gudsa-usendi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213752/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-03/india/28274156_1_encounter-in-adilabad-district-azad-gudsa-usendi|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|first1=G. Arun|last1=Kumar|first2=Raghu|last2=Paithari|date=3 July 2010|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.rediff.com/special/2010/aug/10/special-azads-death-some-unanswered-questions.htm|title=Azad's killing: Some unanswered questions|work=[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="MR"/> and Mallojula Koteswara Rao ''alias'' "[[Kishenji]]",<ref name="MR"/><ref name="thehindu-2665736">{{cite news|title=Thousands bid farewell to Kishenji|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/thousands-bid-farewell-to-kishenji/article2665736.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=The Hindu Group|place=Peddapalli |date=28 November 2011|access-date=12 June 2013}}</ref> were two past members of the CPI (Maoist)'s Politburo. Politburo member [[Akkiraju Haragopal]] alias Ramkrishna died in October 2021 due to illness.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ramu|first=Marri|date=2021-10-15|title=Maoists' Central Committee confirms Ramakrishna's death|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/maoists-central-committee-confirms-ramakrishnas-death/article37003919.ece|access-date=2021-10-26|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
As per the communist party policies the highest decision-making body of the CPI (Maoist) is the [[Politburo]], with thirteen or fourteen members, six of whom were killed or arrested between 2007 and 2010.<ref name="ht1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Hyderabad/Will-take-revenge-if-Azad-is-harmed/Article1-521496.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031193958/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Hyderabad/Will-take-revenge-if-Azad-is-harmed/Article1-521496.aspx|archive-date=31 October 2013|title=Will take revenge if Azad is harmed|last1=Das|first1=Ashok|last2=Bhattacharya|first2=Snigdhendu|date=21 March 2010|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=8 April 2010}}</ref> [[Shamsher Singh Sheri]] ''alias'' Karam Singh, who died of Cerebral Malaria-Jaundice on 30 October 2005, was a Politburo member.<ref>{{cite web|title=2005-12-15 – document – CPN-M|url=http://nepalconflictreport.ohchr.org/html/documents/2005-12-15_document_cpn-m_eng.html|publisher=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]|date=15 December 2005|access-date=29 August 2013|quote=Comrade Shamsher Singh Sheri, alias comrade Sher Shing Sheri, alias com. K.S., a Central Committee and Polit Bureau member of Communist Party of India (Maoist), has passed away from us by dangerous diseases Cerebral Malaria-Jaundice. He attained martyrdom on Oct.30, 2005. It is not only a great loss of CPI (Maoist) but also a great loss of the whole proletarian's revolution. The untimely demise of comrade Karam Singh has caused a serious loss to the ongoing revolutionary struggles in India and the world as well.}}</ref> Between 2005 and 2011, the State captured several Politburo members of the party, which includes – [[Sushil Roy]] ''alias'' "Som", [[Narayan Sanyal (politician)|Narayan Sanyal]] ''alias'' "N. Prasad", [[Pramod Mishra]], [[Amitabh Bagchi]], [[Baccha Prasad Singh]], [[Anukul Chandra Naskar]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2013 |title=Police arrest Maoist politburo member in Assam |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/police-arrest-maoist-politburo-member-in-assam-770695.html |access-date=2019-07-29 |website=Firstpost}}</ref> and Akhilesh Yadav. [[Deo Kumar Singh|Arvind Ji]] alias "Deo Kumar Singh", died in heart attack on 21, March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2018 |title=Jharkhand's top Maoist commander Arvindji died of heart attack: Police |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jharkhand-s-top-maoist-commander-arvindji-dies-of-heart-attack/story-7qQlkkw89yuAsTz5WGiWaN.html |access-date=April 9, 2018 |website=hindustantimes.com}}</ref> [[B. Sudhakar]] ''alias'' "Kiran" was another Politburo member of CPI (Maoist), but he surrendered in 2019.<ref name="HT-981635">{{cite news |last=Maitra |first=Pradip Kumar |date=27 December 2012 |title=Woman naxal leader killed in Gadchiroli |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Senior-Naxal-leader-Narmada-killed-in-encounter-in-Gadchiroli/Article1-981635.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101175017/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Senior-Naxal-leader-Narmada-killed-in-encounter-in-Gadchiroli/Article1-981635.aspx |archive-date=1 January 2013 |access-date=31 May 2013 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Akkiraju Haragopal]] alias "Ramakrishna" died in October 2021 due to illness.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramu |first=Marri |date=2021-10-15 |title=Maoists' Central Committee confirms Ramakrishna's death |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/maoists-central-committee-confirms-ramakrishnas-death/article37003919.ece |access-date=2021-10-26 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> [[Katakam Sudarshan]], ''alias'' Anand,<ref name="HT-963499">{{cite news |last=Bhattacharya |first=Ravik |date=23 November 2012 |title=Hardline strategist to replace Kishenji |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Hardline-strategist-to-replace-Kishenji/Article1-963499.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124193308/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Hardline-strategist-to-replace-Kishenji/Article1-963499.aspx |archive-date=24 November 2012 |access-date=31 May 2013 |work=Hindustan Times |place=Kolkata}}</ref> was a prominent Politburo member until his death in 2023.<ref name="ET-30189393">{{cite news|title=Ganapathy, Kishanji on top of government's most-wanted Maoists list|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-22/news/30189393_1_central-committee-lakh-reward-kishanji|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201107/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-22/news/30189393_1_central-committee-lakh-reward-kishanji|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|work=[[The Economic Times]]|first=Bharti|last=Jain|place=New Delhi|date=22 September 2011|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> [[Ashutosh Tudu]]<ref name="ht1" /> and Anuj Thakur<ref name="TOI-20322245">{{cite news|title=Maoist politburo member arrested, girlfriend flees|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Maoist-politburo-member-arrested-girlfriend-flees/articleshow/20322245.cms|first=Alok K. N.|last=Mishra|newspaper=The Times of India|publisher=The Times Group|date=29 May 2013|access-date=22 August 2013|place=Ranchi}}</ref> are another two of the arrested Politburo members of the party. Among those killed, Cherukuri Rajkumar ''alias'' "[[Azad (Maoist)|Azad]]"<ref>{{cite news|title=Maoist No. 3 Azad killed in Andhra|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-03/india/28274156_1_encounter-in-adilabad-district-azad-gudsa-usendi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213752/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-03/india/28274156_1_encounter-in-adilabad-district-azad-gudsa-usendi|archive-date=29 October 2013|first1=G. Arun|last1=Kumar|first2=Raghu|last2=Paithari|date=3 July 2010|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.rediff.com/special/2010/aug/10/special-azads-death-some-unanswered-questions.htm|title=Azad's killing: Some unanswered questions|work=[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="MR" /> and Mallojula Koteswara Rao ''alias'' "[[Kishenji]]",<ref name="MR" /><ref name="thehindu-2665736">{{cite news|title=Thousands bid farewell to Kishenji|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/thousands-bid-farewell-to-kishenji/article2665736.ece|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|publisher=The Hindu Group|place=Peddapalli|date=28 November 2011|access-date=12 June 2013}}</ref> were two past members of the CPI (Maoist)'s Politburo. [[Prashant Bose]] ''alias'' "Kishan-da" was a member of the Politburo until his arrest. In October 2025, Top politburo member [[Mallujola Venugopal]] surrendered to Maharashtra police.<ref>{{Cite news|title=61 Maoists, including top leader Bhupati, surrender in Maharashtra|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/61-maoists-including-top-leader-bhupati-surrender-in-maharashtra/article70163853.ece|access-date=2025-10-16|website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>On 22 February 2026, the General Secretery and Politburo member [[Thippiri Tirupathi]] surrendered in Telengana.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Centre's Maoist deadline looming, how Telangana clinched two key surrenders|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/centres-maoist-deadline-looming-how-telangana-clinched-two-key-surrenders-2873045-2026-02-23|access-date=2026-02-23|website=[[India Today]]}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Current CPI (Maoist) Politburo Members<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Siddharth |date=2025-06-10 |title=Maoist ranks decimated, only 14 leaders remain alive |url=https://openthemagazine.com/feature/maoist-ranks-decimated-only-14-leaders-remain-alive/ |access-date=2025-06-10 |website=Open The Magazine |language=en}}</ref>
! Name !! Alias(es) !! Notes
|-
| Mupalla Laxman Rao|| Ganapathy || Former General Secretary.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-29 |title=Buzz in Bastar says Ganapathy back, but Maoist leadership will go to Andhra or T'gana commander |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/buzz-in-bastar-says-ganapathy-back-but-maoist-leadership-will-go-to-andhra-or-tgana-commander/articleshow/121473596.cms |access-date=2025-09-13 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| Misir Besra|| Sagar ||
|}


===Central Committee===
===Central Committee===
The [[Central committee|Central Committee]] of the CPI (Maoist) takes command from the Politburo and passes on the information to its members, and has 32 members. During an interview in 2010, Anand told media personnels that out of the 45 members of the Central Committee of CPI (Maoist), 8 has been arrested and 22 has been killed by the agencies of the Indian government.<ref name="TI-12311694">{{cite news|title=Portrait of 'mastermind'|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100407/jsp/nation/story_12311694.jsp|first=G. S.|last=Radhakrishna|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]|place=Kolkata|date=7 April 2010 |access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> [[Anuradha Ghandy]], who died on 12 April 2008, was an eminent member of CPI (Maoist)'s Central Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rebel – She was born into privilege and could easily have chosen the easy life. But Anuradha Ghandy chose guns over roses to fight for the dispossessed.|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-rebel|first=Rahul|last=Pandita|publisher=[[Open (Indian magazine)|OPEN]]|date=26 September 2009|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> Kadari Satyanarayan Reddy ''alias'' "[[Kosa (Maoist)|Kosa]]", [[Thippiri Tirupathi]] ''alias'' "Devuji", Malla Raji Reddy<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Maoist-leader-a-prize-catch/articleshow/2632638.cms|title=Maoist leader a prize catch|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> and [[Mallujola Venugopal]] ''alias'' "Bhupati" are another three cadres and Central Committee members of the party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maoists from Andhra Pradesh may have planned Chhattisgarh ambush|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/maoists-from-andhra-pradesh-may-have-planned-chhattisgarh-ambush/article389977.ece|first=K. Srinivas|last=Reddy|work=The Hindu|place=Hyderabad |date=6 April 2010|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> [[Madvi Hidma]] is the youngest Central Committee member of the party. As of 22 September 2011, nine of the Central Committee members were jailed, which includes – Moti Lal Soren, Vishnu, [[Varanasi Subramanyam]], Shobha, Misir Besra, [[Jhantu Mukherjee]], [[Vijay Kumar Arya]].<ref name="ET-30189393"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/top-maoist-leader-arrested-in-jharkhand_396448.html|title=Top Maoist leader arrested in Jharkhand|date=2007-09-22|website=Zee News|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> One more Central Committee member, [[Ravi Sharma (Maoist)|Ravi Sharma]], was also captured later.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jailed Red leader's wife gets bail|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-18/ranchi/41422477_1_kishanji-maoist-hazaribag-national-park|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928210943/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-18/ranchi/41422477_1_kishanji-maoist-hazaribag-national-park|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2013|last1=Sen|first1=Abhijit|location=Hazaribag|date=18 August 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 August 2013}}</ref> [[Ginugu Narsimha Reddy]] alias Jampanna surrendered to police in December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/who-is-jampanna-the-top-maoist-leader-active-in-north-telangana-who-surrendered-in-hyderabad/987751/|title=Who is Jampanna, the top Maoist leader|access-date=April 15, 2019}}</ref> [[Varkapur Chandramouli]],<ref name="MR">{{citation|title=Indian 'Republic Killing Its Own Children' -- Kishenji Fought for a Better World|url=http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/dmello031211.html|author=Bernard D'Mello|publisher=[[Monthly Review|Monthly Review Foundation]]|date=3 December 2011|access-date=12 April 2014}}</ref> [[Patel Sudhakar Reddy]],<ref name="MR"/> [[Narmada Akka]],<ref name="HT-981635" /> and [[Milind Teltumbde]] who were killed by armed forces. Another Central Committee member [[Haribhushan]] was died due to Covid.
The [[Central committee|Central Committee]] of the CPI (Maoist) takes command from the Politburo and passes on the information to its members, and has 32 members. During an interview in 2010, Anand told media personnels that out of the 45 members of the Central Committee of CPI (Maoist), 8 has been arrested and 22 has been killed by the agencies of the Indian government.<ref name="TI-12311694">{{cite news|title=Portrait of 'mastermind'|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100407/jsp/nation/story_12311694.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130617040208/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100407/jsp/nation/story_12311694.jsp|archive-date=17 June 2013|first=G. S.|last=Radhakrishna|newspaper=[[The Telegraph (Kolkata)|The Telegraph]]|place=Kolkata|date=7 April 2010|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> [[Anuradha Ghandy]], who died on 12 April 2008, was an eminent member of CPI (Maoist)'s Central Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Rebel – She was born into privilege and could easily have chosen the easy life. But Anuradha Ghandy chose guns over roses to fight for the dispossessed.|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-rebel|first=Rahul|last=Pandita|publisher=[[Open (Indian magazine)|OPEN]]|date=26 September 2009|access-date=31 May 2013}}</ref> Kadari Satyanarayan Reddy ''alias'' "[[Kosa (Maoist)|Kosa]]", [[Thippiri Tirupathi]] ''alias'' "Devuji", Malla Raji Reddy<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Maoist-leader-a-prize-catch/articleshow/2632638.cms|title=Maoist leader a prize catch|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 December 2007|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> and [[Mallujola Venugopal]] ''alias'' "Bhupati" are another three cadres and Central Committee members of the party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maoists from Andhra Pradesh may have planned Chhattisgarh ambush|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/maoists-from-andhra-pradesh-may-have-planned-chhattisgarh-ambush/article389977.ece|first=K. Srinivas|last=Reddy|work=The Hindu|place=Hyderabad|date=6 April 2010|access-date=1 June 2013}}</ref> [[Madvi Hidma]] is the youngest Central Committee member of the party. As of 22 September 2011, nine of the Central Committee members were jailed, which includes – Moti Lal Soren, Vishnu, [[Varanasi Subramanyam]], Shobha, Misir Besra, [[Purnendu Sekhar Mukherjee]], [[Vijay Kumar Arya]].<ref name="ET-30189393"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/top-maoist-leader-arrested-in-jharkhand_396448.html|title=Top Maoist leader arrested in Jharkhand|date=2007-09-22|website=Zee News|language=en|access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> One more Central Committee member, [[Ravi Sharma (Maoist)|Ravi Sharma]], was also captured later.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jailed Red leader's wife gets bail|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Jailed-Red-leaders-wife-gets-bail/articleshow/21890154.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928210943/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-08-18/ranchi/41422477_1_kishanji-maoist-hazaribag-national-park|archive-date=28 September 2013|last1=Sen|first1=Abhijit|location=Hazaribag|date=18 August 2013|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=live|access-date=28 August 2013}}</ref> [[Ginugu Narsimha Reddy]] alias Jampanna surrendered to police in December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/who-is-jampanna-the-top-maoist-leader-active-in-north-telangana-who-surrendered-in-hyderabad/987751/|title=Who is Jampanna, the top Maoist leader|date=24 December 2017|access-date=April 15, 2019}}</ref> [[Varkapur Chandramouli]],<ref name="MR">{{citation|title=Indian 'Republic Killing Its Own Children' – Kishenji Fought for a Better World|url=http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/dmello031211.html|author=Bernard D'Mello|publisher=[[Monthly Review|Monthly Review Foundation]]|date=3 December 2011|access-date=12 April 2014}}</ref> [[Patel Sudhakar Reddy]],<ref name="MR"/> [[Narmada Akka]],<ref name="HT-981635"/> and [[Milind Teltumbde]] who were killed by armed forces. Another Central Committee member [[Haribhushan]] died due to Covid. Another CC member B.G. Krishnamoorthy alias BGK, Vijay was arrested in 2021 November along with another PLGA Savithri by Kerala ATS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala Anti-Terrorism Squad arrest 'senior Maoist leader' and a 'commander' from Wayanad|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/nov/09/kerala-anti-terrorism-squad-arrest-senior-maoist-leader-and-a-commanderfrom-wayanad-2381492.html|access-date=2022-03-18|website=The New Indian Express|date=9 November 2021 }}</ref> Another member Uday was killed in 2025 by [[Greyhounds (police)|Greyhounds]] in Andhra Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Andhra Pradesh: 3 Maoists including central committee member killed in encounter|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/andhra-pradesh-3-maoists-including-central-committee-member-killed-in-encounter-101750223248516-amp.html|access-date=2025-06-18|website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> In September 2025, [[Kosa (Maoist)|Kosa]] was killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh.<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{Cite news|title=Chhattisgarh: Two Maoists killed in Abujhmad encounter; operation underway|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/chhattisgarh-two-maoists-killed-in-abujhmad-encounter-operation-underway-101758530017081.html|access-date=2025-09-22|website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> and in October 2025, [[Mallujola Venugopal]] who is also a politburo member surrendered to Police in Maharashtra and another Central Committee member Pullari Prasad Rao alias Chandranna surrendered in Telegana.<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/><ref>{{Cite news|title=Maoist strategists Chandranna, Bandi Prakash surrender in Hyderabad|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/maoist-strategists-chandranna-bandi-prakash-surrender-in-hyderabad/articleshow/124883158.cms|access-date=2025-10-30|website=[[Times of India]]}}</ref>. Another member and leader of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee [[Madvi Hidma]] was killed in Andhra Pradesh in November 2025.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Top Maoist Commander Madvi Hidma, Behind 26 Armed Attacks, Killed: Sources|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/madvi-hidma-killed-live-updates-top-maoist-commander-madvi-hidma-behind-26-armed-attacks-killed-sources-9654537|access-date=2025-11-18|website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>. In December 2025, another Central Committee member and Senior leader Ganesh uike alias Paka Hanumanthu was killed in Odisha.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Top Maoist leader Ganesh Uike carrying Rs 1.1 crore bounty, three others killed in encounter in Odisha|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2025/Dec/25/top-maoist-leader-ganesh-uike-carrying-rs-11-crore-bounty-three-others-killed-in-encounter-in-odisha|access-date=2025-12-25|website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> In January 2026, another central committee member Pathiram Manjhi alias anal da was killed in Jharkhand by CRPF.<ref>{{Cite news|title=8 Maoists Killed In Anti-Maoist Operation In Jharkhand|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/8-maoists-killed-in-anti-maoist-operation-in-jharkhand-10829816|access-date=2025-01-22|website=[[NDTV]]}}</ref>.On 22 February 2026, two Central Committee members [[Thippiri Tirupathi]] and Malla Raja Reddy surrendered in Telengana.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Centre's Maoist deadline looming, how Telangana clinched two key surrenders|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/centres-maoist-deadline-looming-how-telangana-clinched-two-key-surrenders-2873045-2026-02-23|access-date=2026-02-23|website=[[India Today]]}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Current CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Members
! Name !! Alias(es) !! Notes
|-
|Mupalla Laxman Rao
|Ganapathy
|Former General Secretary, also member of Politburo. [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/raipur/buzz-in-bastar-says-ganapathy-back-but-maoist-leadership-will-go-to-andhra-or-tgana-commander/articleshow/121473596.cms Source]
|-
|-
|Misir Besra
|Sagar
|Also Politburo member. [https://zeenews.india.com/home/top-maoist-leader-arrested-in-jharkhand_396448.html Source]
|-
|}


===Publication division===
===Publication division===
The CPI (Maoist) has a "publication division". Besides volunteering as a Politburo member of the party, [[B. Sudhakar]] ''alias'' "Kiran" also works for its publication division.<ref name="HT-981635"/>
The CPI (Maoist) has a "publication division". [[B. Sudhakar]] ''alias'' "Kiran" who was a Politburo member before his surrender used to work for this division.<ref name="HT-981635"/>


===Military Commissions===
===Military Commissions===
The [[Central Military Commission]] (CMC) is the main armed body of the CPI (Maoist), and it is constructed by its Central Committee. In addition to the CMC, the party has also raised state military commissions.<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|105,106}} The CMC is headed by Nambala Keshava Rao ''alias'' Basavaraj.<ref>{{cite news|title=Top Maoists' assets seized|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/print/130602/news-current-affairs/article/top-maoists-assets-seized|first=U. Sudhakar|last=Reddy|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|publisher=Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited|date=2 June 2013|access-date=22 August 2013|place=Hyderabad}}</ref> Anand<ref>{{cite news|title=The men who run Dandakaranya|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-men-who-run-dandakaranya/602025/0|first=Sreenivas|last=Janyala|newspaper=The Indian Express|publisher=Indian Express Group|place=Hyderabad|date=9 April 2010|access-date=22 August 2013}}</ref> and [[Deo Kumar Singh|Arvind Ji]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Chatra cops likely to seek Paswan's custody|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Chatra-cops-likely-to-seek-Paswans-custody/articleshow/21924331.cms|newspaper=The Times of India|publisher=The Times Group |date=20 August 2013|access-date=22 August 2013|place=Ranchi}}</ref> are another two members of the organisation's CMC. Anuj Thakur is an arrested member of the CMC of the party.<ref name="TOI-20322245"/> Kishenji<ref>{{cite web|title=Who was Kishenji|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Who-was-Kishenji/Article1-773566.aspx|newspaper=Hindustan Times|publisher=HT Media Ltd|location=Kolkata|date=24 November 2011|access-date=22 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930083334/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Who-was-Kishenji/Article1-773566.aspx|archive-date=30 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and Chandramouli<ref name="MR"/> were also the members of the CPI (Maoist)'s CMC.
The Central Military Commission (CMC) is the main armed body of the CPI (Maoist), and it is constructed by its Central Committee. In addition to the CMC, the party has also raised state military commissions.<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|105,106}} The CMC has been headed by Nambala Keshava Rao ''alias'' Basavaraj, Anand and [[Deo Kumar Singh|Arvind Ji]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Reddy |first=U. Sudhakar |date=2 June 2013 |title=Top Maoists' assets seized |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/print/130602/news-current-affairs/article/top-maoists-assets-seized |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409173702/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/print/130602/news-current-affairs/article/top-maoists-assets-seized |archive-date=9 April 2018 |access-date=22 August 2013 |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |publisher=Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited |place=Hyderabad}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Janyala |first=Sreenivas |date=9 April 2010 |title=The men who run Dandakaranya |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-men-who-run-dandakaranya/602025/0 |access-date=22 August 2013 |newspaper=The Indian Express |publisher=Indian Express Group |place=Hyderabad}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 August 2013 |title=Chatra cops likely to seek Paswan's custody |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Chatra-cops-likely-to-seek-Paswans-custody/articleshow/21924331.cms |access-date=22 August 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |publisher=The Times Group |place=Ranchi}}</ref> Anuj Thakur is an arrested member of the CMC of the party.<ref name="TOI-20322245"/> Kishenji<ref>{{cite web|title=Who was Kishenji|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Who-was-Kishenji/Article1-773566.aspx|newspaper=Hindustan Times|publisher=HT Media Ltd|location=Kolkata|date=24 November 2011|access-date=22 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930083334/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Who-was-Kishenji/Article1-773566.aspx|archive-date=30 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and Chandramouli<ref name="MR"/> were also the members of the CPI (Maoist)'s CMC.


===Technical Committee===
===Technical Committee===
Line 75: Line 112:


===Estimated strength===
===Estimated strength===
The military wings of the founding organisations, the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (the military wing of the MCCI) and the People's Guerrilla Army (the military wing of the PWG), also underwent a merger. The name of the unified military organisation is the [[People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (India)|People's Liberation Guerrilla Army]] (PLGA), and it is grouped into three sections — the Basic, the Secondary and the Main squad.<ref name=satpprofile/> All the PLGA members are volunteers and they do not receive any wages.<ref name="AR">{{cite web|title=Walking with the Comrades|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264738-0|publisher=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]|date=29 March 2010|access-date=15 October 2013|first=Arundhati|last=Roy|author-link=Arundhati Roy|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015221518/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264738-0|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> During his stay in the guerrilla zones, Jan Myrdal noted that the female cadres of CPI (Maoist) constituted about 40% of its PLGA, and held numerous "command positions";<ref>{{cite book|title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising : Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences|first=Jan|last=Myrdal|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani|place=Kolkata|isbn=978-93-80677-20-0|oclc=858528997|quote=Young women represent about 40 percent of the Guerrilla Army of the People's Liberation. Many of them have command positions. Photo: Jan Myrdal}}</ref> but currently, the female members comprises 60% of the Maoist cadres,<ref name="T-September">{{citation|title=Top Maoist Leader Ganapathi Admits To Leadership Crisis In Party|url=http://www.tehelka.com/top-maoist-leader-ganapathi-admits-to-leadership-crisis-in-party/|last=Majumdar|first=Ushinor|publisher=Tehelka|date=19 September 2013|access-date=10 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016003451/http://www.tehelka.com/top-maoist-leader-ganapathi-admits-to-leadership-crisis-in-party/|archive-date=16 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and women commanders heads 20 of the 27 divisions of the guerrilla zones.<ref name="Gautam"/>
The military wings of the founding organisations, the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (the military wing of the MCCI) and the People's Guerrilla Army (the military wing of the PWG), also underwent a merger. The name of the unified military organisation is the [[People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (India)|People's Liberation Guerrilla Army]] (PLGA), and it is grouped into three sections — the Basic, the Secondary and the Main squad.<ref name=satpprofile/> All the PLGA members are volunteers and they do not receive any wages.<ref name="AR">{{cite web|title=Walking with the Comrades|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264738-0|publisher=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]|date=29 March 2010|access-date=15 October 2013|first=Arundhati|last=Roy|author-link=Arundhati Roy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015221518/http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264738-0|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> During his stay in the guerrilla zones, Jan Myrdal noted that the female cadres of CPI (Maoist) constituted about 40% of its PLGA, and held numerous "command positions";<ref>{{cite book|title=Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising: Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences|first=Jan|last=Myrdal|date=5 May 2014|publisher=Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani|place=Kolkata|isbn=978-93-80677-20-0|oclc=858528997|quote=Young women represent about 40 percent of the Guerrilla Army of the People's Liberation. Many of them have command positions. Photo: Jan Myrdal}}</ref> but currently, the female members comprises 60% of the Maoist cadres,<ref name="T-September">{{citation|title=Top Maoist Leader Ganapathi Admits To Leadership Crisis In Party|url=http://www.tehelka.com/top-maoist-leader-ganapathi-admits-to-leadership-crisis-in-party/|last=Majumdar|first=Ushinor|publisher=Tehelka|date=19 September 2013|access-date=10 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016003451/http://www.tehelka.com/top-maoist-leader-ganapathi-admits-to-leadership-crisis-in-party/|archive-date=16 October 2013}}</ref> and women commanders heads 20 of the 27 divisions of the guerrilla zones.<ref name="Gautam"/>


P.V. Ramana, of the Observer Research Foundation in [[Delhi]], estimates the Naxilities' current strength at 9,000–10,000 armed fighters, with access to about 6,500 firearms.<ref name="Armed strength">"A spectre haunting India", ''the Economist''  Volume 380 Number 8491 (19–25 August 2006)</ref> The analyses, as of September 2013, suggested that the estimated number of PLGA members has decreased from 10,000 − 12,000<ref name="T-September"/> to 8,000 − 9,000.<ref name="BS-113092700488">{{cite news|title=Reds in retreat|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/reds-in-retreat-113092700488_1.html|first1=R.|last1=Krishna Das|first2=Sahil|last2=Makkar|first3=Probal|last3=Basak|first4=Dillip|last4=Satapathy|date=27 September 2013|access-date=10 October 2013|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> But, [[Gautam Navlakha]] has suggested that the PLGA has strengthened over the past few years, and has mustered 12 [[Company (military unit)|companies]] and over 25 [[platoon]]s and a supply platoon in 2013 as compared to 8 companies and 13 platoons of 2008.<ref name="Gautam">{{cite web|title=Ambush amplifies a struggle|url=http://sanhati.com/excerpted/9499/|first=Gautam|last=Navlakha|author-link=Gautam Navlakha|publisher=Sanhati|date=30 March 2014|access-date=16 May 2014}}</ref> The People's Militia which is armed with bows, arrows, and machetes is and is believed to logistically assist the PLGA is estimated to be around 38,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/08/2013812124328669128.html |title=Analysis: India's Maoist challenge|first=Kamal|last=Kumar|publisher=[[Al Jazeera]]|date=August 2013|access-date=8 April 2014}}</ref>
P.V. Ramana, of the Observer Research Foundation in Delhi, estimates the Naxilities' current strength at 9,000–10,000 armed fighters, with access to about 6,500 firearms.<ref name="Armed strength">"A spectre haunting India", ''the Economist''  Volume 380 Number 8491 (19–25 August 2006)</ref> The analyses, as of September 2013, suggested that the estimated number of PLGA members has decreased from 10,000 − 12,000<ref name="T-September"/> to 8,000 − 9,000.<ref name="BS-113092700488">{{cite news|title=Reds in retreat|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/reds-in-retreat-113092700488_1.html|first1=R.|last1=Krishna Das|first2=Sahil|last2=Makkar|first3=Probal|last3=Basak|first4=Dillip|last4=Satapathy|date=27 September 2013|access-date=10 October 2013|newspaper=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> But, [[Gautam Navlakha]] has suggested that the PLGA has strengthened over the past few years, and has mustered 12 [[Company (military unit)|companies]] and over 25 [[platoon]]s and a supply platoon in 2013 as compared to 8 companies and 13 platoons of 2008.<ref name="Gautam">{{cite web|title=Ambush amplifies a struggle|url=http://sanhati.com/excerpted/9499/|first=Gautam|last=Navlakha|author-link=Gautam Navlakha|publisher=Sanhati|date=30 March 2014|access-date=16 May 2014}}</ref> The People's Militia which is armed with bows, arrows, and machetes is and is believed to logistically assist the PLGA is estimated to be around 38,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/08/2013812124328669128.html|title=Analysis: India's Maoist challenge|first=Kamal|last=Kumar|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|date=August 2013|access-date=8 April 2014}}</ref>


===Medical units===
===Medical units===
The Maoists had structured "medical units" in the villages of Bastar,<ref>{{cite book|title=Jangalnama : Inside the Maoist Guerrilla Zone|chapter=Walking through the jungle|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OKDcCDlEZ0EC&pg=PA99 |author=Satanāma|page=99|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|location=New Delhi|orig-year=[https://books.google.com/books?id=i1IrQwAACAAJ 2003]|year=2010|isbn=978-01-43414-45-2|oclc=634661617|others=Translated from Punjabi by Vishav Bharti}}</ref> and the CPI (Maoist) operates "mobile medical units."<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|101}} [[Rahul Pandita]] writes: {{blockquote|"In the field of health as well, the Maoists often fill in large gaps left by the state. Their mobile medical units cover large distances to offer primary health care to tribals.... Various training camps are held regularly on preventive measures against diseases such as diarrhoea or malaria. The grass-root doctors in the medical squads can administer vaccines, identify a number of diseases through symptoms, and treat injuries that are not severe. Some can even conduct simple blood tests to arrive at a diagnosis. This is a significant advantage in such areas."<ref name="Rahul">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZ83V3JLXFMC|title=Hello, Bastar : The Untold Story of India's Maoist Movement|first=Rahul|last=Pandita|publisher=Westland (Tranquebar Press)|year=2011|location=Chennai|isbn=978-93-80658-34-6|oclc=754482226}}</ref>{{rp|101–102}}}}
The Maoists had structured "medical units" in the villages of Bastar,<ref>{{cite book|title=Jangalnama: Inside the Maoist Guerrilla Zone|chapter=Walking through the jungle|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OKDcCDlEZ0EC&pg=PA99|author=Satanāma|page=99|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|location=New Delhi|orig-date=2003|year=2010|isbn=978-01-43414-45-2|oclc=634661617|others=Translated from Punjabi by Vishav Bharti}}</ref> and the CPI (Maoist) operates "mobile medical units."<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|101}} [[Rahul Pandita]] writes: {{blockquote|"In the field of health as well, the Maoists often fill in large gaps left by the state. Their mobile medical units cover large distances to offer primary health care to tribals.... Various training camps are held regularly on preventive measures against diseases such as diarrhoea or malaria. The grass-root doctors in the medical squads can administer vaccines, identify a number of diseases through symptoms, and treat injuries that are not severe. Some can even conduct simple blood tests to arrive at a diagnosis. This is a significant advantage in such areas."<ref name="Rahul">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZ83V3JLXFMC|title=Hello, Bastar: The Untold Story of India's Maoist Movement|first=Rahul|last=Pandita|publisher=Westland (Tranquebar Press)|year=2011|location=Chennai|isbn=978-93-80658-34-6|oclc=754482226}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>{{rp|101–102}}}}
Furthermore, the CPI (Maoist)'s medical services squads also move from village to village and provides "basic medical training" to selected young tribal people which enables them to identify frequently occurring diseases through their presages so that they can also distribute vaccines to the patients.<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|102}}
Furthermore, the CPI (Maoist)'s medical services squads also move from village to village and provides "basic medical training" to selected young tribal people which enables them to identify frequently occurring diseases through their presages so that they can also distribute vaccines to the patients.<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|102}}


===Frontal organisations===
===Frontal organisations===
The frontal organisations of the party include the [[Radical Youth League]], Rythu Coolie Sangham, [[Radical Students Union]], [[Singareni Karmika Samakya]], Viplava Karmika Samakhya, Porattam Kerala, Ayyankali pada Kerala, Njattuvela Kerala and [[All India Revolutionary Students Federation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianvanguard.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/andrapradesh-ban-on-cpi-maoist-and-front-organisations-extended-for-one-more-year/#more-2085|title=Andrapradesh: Ban on CPI Maoist and front organisations extended for one more year|work=Indian Vanguard|date=10 August 2009|access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> [[Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan]],<ref name="AR"/> and [[Chetna Natya Manch]].<ref>{{cite news|title=In Pictures: India's Maoist heartland|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2014/10/pictures-india-maoist-heartlan-2014105104030403635.html|work=[[Al Jazeera]]|access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref>
The frontal organisations of the party include the [[Radical Youth League]], Rythu Coolie Sangham, [[Radical Students Union]], [[Singareni Karmika Samakya]], Viplava Karmika Samakhya, Porattam Kerala, Ayyankali pada Kerala, Njattuvela Kerala and [[All India Revolutionary Students Federation]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianvanguard.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/andrapradesh-ban-on-cpi-maoist-and-front-organisations-extended-for-one-more-year/#more-2085|title=Andrapradesh: Ban on CPI Maoist and front organisations extended for one more year|work=Indian Vanguard|date=10 August 2009|access-date=26 April 2012}}</ref> [[Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan]],<ref name="AR"/> and [[Chetna Natya Manch]].<ref>{{cite news|title=In Pictures: India's Maoist heartland|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2014/10/pictures-india-maoist-heartlan-2014105104030403635.html|work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref>


==Strategy==
==Strategy==
===Governance tactics===
===Governance tactics===
The "organising principles" of the Maoists are sketched out from the [[Chinese Communist Revolution]] and the [[Vietnam War]]. The CPI (Maoist) has organised [[Dandakaranya]] into ten divisions, each comprising three area committees; and every Area Committee is composed of several Janatana Sarkars (people's governments). The party says that a Janatana Sarkar is established by the election procedure involving a group of villages, and has nine departments — agriculture, trade and industry, economic, justice, defence, health, [[public relations]], [[Ministry of Education and Culture|education and culture]], and jungle.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gandhi, but with guns: Part Two|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/27/arundhati-roy-india-tribal-maoists-2|first=Arundhati|last=Roy|work=The Guardian|date=27 March 2010|access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> The Janatana Sarkar provides education up to [[Primary education|primary level]] in the subjects of mathematics, social science, politics, and Hindi, in the "camp schools" using the textbooks published by the party in [[Gondi language|Gondi]]. They also use [[DVD]]s to educate the children in the streams of science and history.<ref>{{cite web|title=My Book is Red : The word is Revolution|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265325|last=Dasgupta|first=Debarshi|publisher=Outlook|date=17 May 2010|access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>
The "organising principles" of the Maoists are sketched out from the [[Chinese Communist Revolution]] and the [[Vietnam War]]. The CPI (Maoist) has organised [[Dandakaranya]] into ten divisions, each comprising three area committees; and every Area Committee is composed of several Janatana Sarkars (people's governments). The party says that a Janatana Sarkar is established by the election procedure involving a group of villages, and has nine departments — agriculture, trade and industry, economic, justice, defence, health, [[public relations]], [[Ministry of education and culture|education and culture]], and jungle.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gandhi, but with guns: Part Two|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/mar/27/arundhati-roy-india-tribal-maoists-2|first=Arundhati|last=Roy|work=The Guardian|date=27 March 2010|access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> The Janatana Sarkar provides education up to [[Primary education|primary level]] in the subjects of mathematics, social science, politics, and Hindi, in the "camp schools" using the textbooks published by the party in [[Gondi language|Gondi]]. They also use [[DVD]]s to educate the children in the streams of science and history.<ref>{{cite web|title=My Book is Red: The word is Revolution|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?265325|last=Dasgupta|first=Debarshi|publisher=Outlook|date=17 May 2010|access-date=18 May 2014}}</ref>


In their efforts to intimidate their political adversaries and consolidate control, the Naxalites tax local villagers, extort businesses, abduct and kill "class enemies" such as government officials and police officers, and regulate the flow of aid and goods.<ref name=time20080529/> To help fill their ranks, the Maoists force each family under their domain to supply one family member, and threaten those who resist with violence.<ref name="alertnet.org"/>
In their efforts to intimidate their political adversaries and consolidate control, the Maoists tax local villagers, extort businesses, abduct and kill "class enemies" such as government officials and police officers, and regulate the flow of aid and goods.<ref name=time20080529/> To help fill their ranks, the Maoists force each family under their domain to supply one family member, and threaten those who resist with violence.<ref name="alertnet.org"/>


The organisation has been holding "Public Courts", which have been described as [[kangaroo court]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100414/jsp/jharkhand/story_12337029.jsp|title=The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) - Jharkhand - Maoists behead youth|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.deccanchronicle.com/national/maoists-hold-kangaroo-court-092 Deccan Chronicle, 27 August 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307133200/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/national/maoists-hold-kangaroo-court-092|date=7 March 2012}}</ref> against their opponents. These "courts" function in the areas under de facto Maoist control.<ref name="achr"/> The Maoists have also taken care to demolish [[Government of India|government]] institutions under their ''de facto'' jurisdiction.<ref>[http://dailypioneer.com/212761/Maoists-use-guns-to-enforce-poverty.html Maoists use guns to enforce poverty] Daily Pioneer – 1 November 2009</ref> They have been involved in several cases of blowing up schools and railway tracks, and keeping the areas under their control away from modernity and development, typically the uneducated rural populace.<ref name=time20080529/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/naxals-blow-up-rail-tracks-school-in-jharkhand/106123-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202143501/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/naxals-blow-up-rail-tracks-school-in-jharkhand/106123-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 December 2009|title=Naxals blast rail tracks, school in Jharkhand|work=IBNLive|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
The organisation has been holding "Public Courts", which have been described as [[kangaroo court]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100414/jsp/jharkhand/story_12337029.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913165301/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100414/jsp/jharkhand/story_12337029.jsp|archive-date=13 September 2012|title=The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata) – Jharkhand – Maoists behead youth|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.deccanchronicle.com/national/maoists-hold-kangaroo-court-092 Deccan Chronicle, 27 August 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307133200/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/national/maoists-hold-kangaroo-court-092|date=7 March 2012}}</ref> against their opponents. These "courts" function in the areas under de facto Maoist control.<ref name="achr"/> The Maoists have also taken care to demolish [[Government of India|government]] institutions under their ''de facto'' jurisdiction.<ref>[http://dailypioneer.com/212761/Maoists-use-guns-to-enforce-poverty.html Maoists use guns to enforce poverty] Daily Pioneer – 1 November 2009</ref> They have also demolished railroad tracks and school buildings that are often used as temporary camps by security forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/naxals-blow-up-rail-tracks-school-in-jharkhand/106123-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202143501/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/naxals-blow-up-rail-tracks-school-in-jharkhand/106123-3.html|archive-date=2 December 2009|title=Naxals blast rail tracks, school in Jharkhand|work=IBNLive|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>


===Military strategies and tactics===
===Military strategies and tactics===
The CPI (Maoist) rejects "engagement" with what it terms as the "prevailing [[Liberal democracy#Dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|bourgeois democracy]]" and focuses on capturing political power through protracted armed struggle based on [[guerrilla warfare]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/The-forgotten-war/article16442105.ece|title=The forgotten war|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-02-26|language=en}}</ref> This strategy entails building up bases in rural and remote areas and transforming them first into guerrilla zones, and then into "liberated zones", in addition to encircling cities.<ref name=satpprofile/>
The CPI (Maoist) rejects "engagement" with what it terms as the "prevailing [[Liberal democracy#Dictatorship of the bourgeoisie|bourgeois democracy]]" and focuses on capturing political power through protracted armed struggle based on [[guerrilla warfare]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/The-forgotten-war/article16442105.ece|title=The forgotten war|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-02-26|language=en}}</ref> This strategy entails building up bases in rural and remote areas and transforming them first into guerrilla zones, and then into "liberated zones", in addition to encircling cities.<ref name=satpprofile/>


The military hardware used by Maoists, as indicated through a number of seizures, include [[RDX]] cable wires, [[gelignite]] sticks, detonators, country-made weapons, [[INSAS rifle]]s, [[AK-47]]s, [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|SLRs]], and improvised explosive devices.{{citation needed|date=April 2014}} The Maoists condemn the accusations that they manage arms through China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.<ref name="hindu=2010111064221100"/> On the subject, Ganapathy says, "Our weapons are mainly country-made. All the modern weapons we have are mainly seized from the government armed forces when we attack them."<ref name="hindu=2010111064221100"/>
The military hardware used by Maoists, as indicated through a number of seizures, include [[RDX]] cable wires, [[gelignite]] sticks, detonators, country-made weapons, [[INSAS rifle]]s, [[AK-47]]s, [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|SLRs]], and improvised explosive devices.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shah|first=Alpa|title=Nightmarch: Among India's Revolutionary Guerrillas|publisher=Hurst|year=2018|isbn=978-1-84904-990-0|language=English}}</ref> The Maoists condemn the accusations that they manage arms through China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.<ref name="hindu=2010111064221100">{{cite news|title=Maoists consolidating control, says CPI (Maoist) leader|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/10/stories/2010111064221100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113055809/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/10/stories/2010111064221100.htm|archive-date=13 November 2010|first=Aman|last=Sethi|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 November 2010|access-date=26 May 2013}}</ref> On the subject, Ganapathy says, "Our weapons are mainly country-made. All the modern weapons we have are mainly seized from the government armed forces when we attack them."<ref name="hindu=2010111064221100"/>


The CPI (Maoist)'s General Secretary says that they keep on appealing to the "lower-level personnel" in the paramilitary and police forces not to attack them, but rather "join hands with the masses" and "consciously" point their guns towards whom the Maoists view as "real enemies." They further claims that "only when the government forces come to attack us [Maoists] carrying guns do we attack them in self-defence."<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|48–49}} In Jharkhand, the police have also clutched posters from various places which read, "Policemen keep away from the green hunt and try to be friends of poor. Police jawan, do not obey orders of the senior officials, instead join the people's army."<ref>{{citation|title=Naxal Violence: Is the CPI (Maoist) Fading?|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/naxal-violence-is-the-cpi-maoist-fading-4187.html|work=[[Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies]]|location=New Delhi|date=22 November 2013|access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>
The CPI (Maoist)'s General Secretary says that they keep on appealing to the "lower-level personnel" in the paramilitary and police forces not to attack them, but rather "join hands with the masses" and "consciously" point their guns towards whom the Maoists view as "real enemies." They further claims that "only when the government forces come to attack us [Maoists] carrying guns do we attack them in self-defence."<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|48–49}} In Jharkhand, the police have also seized posters from various places which read, "Policemen keep away from the green hunt and try to be friends of poor. Police jawan, do not obey orders of the senior officials, instead join the people's army."<ref>{{citation|title=Naxal Violence: Is the CPI (Maoist) Fading?|url=http://www.ipcs.org/article/india/naxal-violence-is-the-cpi-maoist-fading-4187.html|work=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|location=New Delhi|date=22 November 2013|access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>


==Funding==
==Funding==
Some sources claims that the funding for the Maoists comes from abductions, extortion and by setting up unofficial administrations to collect taxes in rural areas where official government appears absent.<ref name=time20080529/><ref name="cfrbackgrounder">{{cite web|last=Zissis|first=Carin|title=Backgrounder: Terror Groups in India|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|date=27 November 2008|url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/12773/terror_groups_in_india.html|access-date=29 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209000734/http://www.cfr.org/publication/12773/terror_groups_in_india.html|archive-date=9 February 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="ipcs">{{cite journal|last1=Srivastava|first1=Devyani|year=2009|title=Terrorism & Armed Violence in India|journal=IPCS Special Report|publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|volume=71|pages=7–11|url=http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/SR71-Final.pdf|access-date=26 August 2010}}</ref> Poppy cultivation is another major source of funding for Maoists in the Ghagra area of [[Gumla district]] in Jharkhand and in parts of Gumla, [[Kishanganj district|Kishanganj]] and [[Purnia district|Purnia]] districts in Bihar. Naxalites have been charged by the government with running an extortion economy in the guise of a popular revolution, extorting vast amounts of money from local branches of mining companies and other businesses.<ref name=time20080529/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/157786/5-suspected-naxals-held-extortion.html|title=5 suspected Naxals held for extortion|work=Deccan Herald|date=30 April 2011|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> Security forces claim that opium fields are hidden among maize crops. Reports from [[Debagarh district]] in Odisha indicate that the Naxals also support hemp cultivation to help fund their activities.<ref name=ipcs/> According to a 2008 report titled 'Naxalite scenario in Jharkhand State' prepared by the Jharkhand Police, Maoists were using [[illegal mining]] as a tool to fund their campaign. At that time, Maoists were involved in illegal mining in 18 districts.{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}
Some sources claim that the funding for the Maoists comes from abductions, extortion and by setting up unofficial administrations to collect taxes in rural areas where official government appears absent.<ref name=time20080529/><ref name="cfrbackgrounder">{{cite web|last=Zissis|first=Carin|title=Backgrounder: Terror Groups in India|publisher=Council on Foreign Relations|date=27 November 2008|url=http://www.cfr.org/publication/12773/terror_groups_in_india.html|access-date=29 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209000734/http://www.cfr.org/publication/12773/terror_groups_in_india.html|archive-date=9 February 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="ipcs">{{cite journal|last1=Srivastava|first1=Devyani|year=2009|title=Terrorism & Armed Violence in India|journal=IPCS Special Report|publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|volume=71|pages=7–11|url=http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/SR71-Final.pdf|archive-date=26 July 2011|access-date=22 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726185846/http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/SR71-Final.pdf|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> Poppy cultivation is another suspected source of funding for Maoists in the Ghagra area of [[Gumla district]] in Jharkhand and in parts of Gumla, [[Kishanganj district|Kishanganj]] and [[Purnia district|Purnia]] districts in Bihar where security forces claim that opium fields are hidden among maize crops.<ref name=ipcs/> Reports from [[Debagarh district]] in Odisha indicate that the Maoists also support hemp cultivation to help fund their activities.<ref name=ipcs/>
 
Ganapathy has rejected these claims as false accusations, stating that "Maoists were fighting hard to keep mining companies out of areas under Maoist control and that the party mainly collects donations from the people and funds from the traders in our guerrilla zones... [We] also collect rational levy from contractors who take up various works in our areas."<ref name="hindu=2010111064221100">{{cite news|title=Maoists consolidating control, says CPI (Maoist) leader|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/10/stories/2010111064221100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113055809/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/10/stories/2010111064221100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2010|first=Aman|last=Sethi|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=10 November 2010|access-date=26 May 2013}}</ref>


==Legal status==
==Legal status==
The party is regarded as a "left-wing extremist entity" and a terrorist outfit by the Indian government. Several of their members have been arrested under the now-defunct [[Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002|Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act]].<ref name="satpprofile">{{cite web|title=Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)|work=South Asia Terrorism Portal|publisher=Institute for Conflict Management|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/terroristoutfits/CPI_M.htm|access-date=19 January 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4505 Article on CPI_M],''MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230001056/http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4505|date=30 December 2007}}</ref> The group is officially banned by the state governments of Odisha,<ref>[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asiapacific/detail.asp?ID=83866&GRP=C Eastern Indian state bans communist rebel group],''The China Post''</ref> Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, among others. The party has protested these bans.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060614222216/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/11/stories/2006061106551000.htm Maoists plan stir],''The Hindu''</ref> The Indian government, led by the [[United Progressive Alliance]], banned the CPI (Maoist) under the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] (UAPA) as a terrorist organisation<ref>[http://www.mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928115333/http://www.mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292|date=28 September 2010}}</ref> on 22 June 2009. On 22 June 2009, the central [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|home ministry]], keeping in mind the growing unlawful activities by the group, banned it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/centre-declares-maoists-as-terrorists-cpm-differs_541260.html|title=Centre declares Maoists as terrorists, CPM differs |date=22 June 2009|publisher=Zee News|access-date=22 June 2009}}</ref> Earlier, the union home minister, [[P. Chidambaram]] had asked the West Bengal [[Chief minister|Chief Minister]], [[Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee]], to ban the Maoists following the [[Lalgarh, Jhargram|Lalgarh]] [[Operation Lalgarh|Violence]].<ref name="toi20090622">{{cite news|title=Centre declares Maoists a terrorist organisation|date=22 June 2009|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-23/india/28212373_1_maoists-plan-cpm-activists-ban-vhp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025035338/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-23/india/28212373_1_maoists-plan-cpm-activists-ban-vhp|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=22 June 2009}}</ref> Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and all its formations and front organisations have been banned by the Government of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Banned Terrorist Organisations|url=http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx|publisher=National Investigation Agency, India|access-date=23 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119203117/http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx|archive-date=19 January 2014|df=dmy}}</ref>
The party is regarded as a "left-wing extremist entity" and a terrorist outfit by the Indian government. Several of their members have been arrested under the now-defunct [[Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002|Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act]].<ref name="satpprofile">{{cite web|title=Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist)|work=South Asia Terrorism Portal|publisher=Institute for Conflict Management|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/terroristoutfits/CPI_M.htm|access-date=19 January 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4505 Article on CPI_M],''MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base'' {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230001056/http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=4505|date=30 December 2007}}</ref> The group is officially banned by the state governments of Odisha,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023722/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asiapacific/detail.asp?ID=83866&GRP=C Eastern Indian state bans communist rebel group],''The China Post''</ref> Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, among others. The party has protested these bans.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060614222216/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/11/stories/2006061106551000.htm Maoists plan stir],''The Hindu''</ref> The Indian government, led by the [[United Progressive Alliance]], banned the CPI (Maoist) under the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] (UAPA) as a terrorist organisation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292|title=Ministry of Home Affairs|website=www.mha.nic.in|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928115333/http://www.mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?id_pk=292|archive-date=28 September 2010}}</ref> on 22 June 2009. On 22 June 2009, the central [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|home ministry]], keeping in mind the growing unlawful activities by the group, banned it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/centre-declares-maoists-as-terrorists-cpm-differs_541260.html|title=Centre declares Maoists as terrorists, CPM differs|date=22 June 2009|publisher=Zee News|access-date=22 June 2009}}</ref> Earlier, the union home minister, [[P. Chidambaram]] had asked the West Bengal [[Chief minister|Chief Minister]], [[Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee]], to ban the Maoists following the [[Lalgarh, Jhargram|Lalgarh]] [[Operation Lalgarh|Violence]].<ref name="toi20090622">{{cite news|title=Centre declares Maoists a terrorist organisation|date=22 June 2009|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-23/india/28212373_1_maoists-plan-cpm-activists-ban-vhp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025035338/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-23/india/28212373_1_maoists-plan-cpm-activists-ban-vhp|archive-date=25 October 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=22 June 2009}}</ref> Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and all its formations and front organisations have been banned by the Government of India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Banned Terrorist Organisations|url=http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx|publisher=National Investigation Agency, India|access-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140119203117/http://www.nia.gov.in/banned_org.aspx|archive-date=19 January 2014|df=dmy}}</ref>
 
Following the ban, the Maoists are liable for arrest under the UAPA. They are barred from holding rallies, public meetings and demonstrations, and their offices, if any, will be sealed and their bank accounts frozen.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}


==Controversies==
==Controversies==
===Opposition===
===Opposition===
The Party is regarded as a serious security threat and the Indian government is taking countermeasures, pulling the affected states together to co-ordinate their response.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Alok K N|title=Maoists gun down CRPF deputy commandant in Bihar|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maoists-gun-down-CRPF-deputy-commandant-in-Bihar/articleshow/37761453.cms|access-date=4 July 2014|work=The Times of India|date=4 July 2014}}</ref> It says it will combine improved policing with socio-economic measures to defuse grievances that fuel the Maoist cause.<ref name="alertnet.org">{{Cite news|title=Caught between Rebels and Vigilantes|agency=Reuters Alertnet|date= 27 August 2008|url=http://www.alertnet.org/printable.htm?URL=/db/crisisprofiles/IN_MAO.htm|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
The Party is regarded as a serious security threat by the Indian government.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mishra|first1=Alok K N|title=Maoists gun down CRPF deputy commandant in Bihar|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maoists-gun-down-CRPF-deputy-commandant-in-Bihar/articleshow/37761453.cms|access-date=4 July 2014|work=The Times of India|date=4 July 2014}}</ref> It says it will combine improved policing with socio-economic measures to defuse grievances that fuel the Maoist cause.<ref name="alertnet.org">{{Cite news|title=Caught between Rebels and Vigilantes|agency=Reuters Alertnet|date= 27 August 2008|url=http://www.alertnet.org/printable.htm?URL=/db/crisisprofiles/IN_MAO.htm|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
In 2005, Chhattisgarh State sponsored an anti-Maoist movement called the [[Salwa Judum]]. The group, which the [[BBC]] alleges is "government backed",<ref name="bbcvigilantes">{{Cite news|title=Indian state 'backing vigilantes'|work=BBC News|date= 15 July 2008|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7505252.stm|access-date=12 April 2010}}</ref> an allegation rejected by the Indian government<ref name=ple>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hearing-plea-against-salwa-judum-sc-says-state-cannot-arm-civilians-to-kill/290932/ Hearing plea against Salwa Judum, SC says State cannot arm civilians to kill] ''[[The Indian Express]]'', 1 April 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=//news/2008/mar/31sc.htm SC raps Chhattisgarh on Salwa Judum] [[Rediff.com]], 31 March 2008.  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607032703/http://www.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=%2F%2Fnews%2F2008%2Fmar%2F31sc.htm|date=7 June 2011}}</ref> has come under criticism for "perpetrating atrocities and abuse against women",<ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news|title=Report recommends withdrawal of Salwa Judum|date= 19 January 2007|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/19/stories/2007011905501300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121171501/http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/19/stories/2007011905501300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 January 2007|access-date=12 April 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> using child soldiers,<ref name="achr">{{Cite journal|title=The Adivasis of Chhattisgarh: Victims of the Naxalite Movement and Salwa Judum Campaign|journal=Asian Centre for Human Rights|page=42|location=New Delhi|year=2006|url=http://www.achrweb.org/reports/india/Chattis0106.pdf|access-date=12 April 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100319202800/http://www.achrweb.org///reports/india/Chattis0106.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2010}}</ref> burning people alive,<ref>{{citation|title=His Brother Was Burnt Alive|url=http://www.tehelka.com/his-brother-was-burnt-alive/|first=Prakhar |last=Jain |work=Tehelka|volume=Vol. 9 |issue=14|date=7 April 2012|access-date=24 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928025506/http://www.tehelka.com/his-brother-was-burnt-alive/|archive-date=28 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the looting of property and destruction of homes.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite news|title=Salwa Judum victims assured of relief|date=16 December 2008|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/16/stories/2008121659190500.htm|access-date=12 April 2010|location=Chennai, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226062509/http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/16/stories/2008121659190500.htm|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=26 December 2008}}</ref> These allegations were rejected by a fact-finding commission of the [[National Human Rights Commission of India]], appointed by the [[Supreme Court of India]], who determined that the Salwa Judum was a spontaneous reaction by tribes against Maoist atrocities perpetrated against them.<ref name=nh>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Existence_of_Salwa_Judum_necessary/articleshow/3565263.cms 'Existence of Salwa Judum necessary'] ''[[The Economic Times]]'', 6 October 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1196081|title=NHRC justifies Salwa Judum operations|work=dna|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> The camps are guarded by police officers, paramilitary forces and [[Children in the military|child soldiers]]<ref name="alertnet.org"/><ref name="achr"/> empowered with the official title "special police officer" (SPO).<ref name="achr"/><ref name="fedachild">{{cite web|author1=Zemp, Ueli|author2=Mohapatra, Subash|title= Child Soldiers in Chhattisgarh: Issues, Challenges and FFDA's Response|publisher=Other India Press|date= 29 July 2007|url=http://www.otherindia.org/dev/images/stories/feda_child.pdf|access-date= 12 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727155422/http://www.otherindia.org/dev/images/stories/feda_child.pdf|archive-date= 27 July 2011|url-status= dead}}</ref>
In 2005, Chhattisgarh State sponsored an anti-Maoist movement called the [[Salwa Judum]]. The group, which the [[BBC]] alleges is "government backed",<ref name="bbcvigilantes">{{Cite news|title=Indian state 'backing vigilantes'|work=BBC News|date= 15 July 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7505252.stm|access-date=12 April 2010}}</ref> an allegation rejected by the Indian government<ref name=ple>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hearing-plea-against-salwa-judum-sc-says-state-cannot-arm-civilians-to-kill/290932/ Hearing plea against Salwa Judum, SC says State cannot arm civilians to kill] ''[[The Indian Express]]'', 1 April 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=//news/2008/mar/31sc.htm SC raps Chhattisgarh on Salwa Judum] [[Rediff.com]], 31 March 2008.  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607032703/http://www.rediff.com/cms/print.jsp?docpath=%2F%2Fnews%2F2008%2Fmar%2F31sc.htm|date=7 June 2011}}</ref> has come under criticism for "perpetrating atrocities and abuse against women",<ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news|title=Report recommends withdrawal of Salwa Judum|date= 19 January 2007|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/19/stories/2007011905501300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070121171501/http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/19/stories/2007011905501300.htm|archive-date=21 January 2007|access-date=12 April 2010|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> using child soldiers,<ref name="achr">{{Cite journal|title=The Adivasis of Chhattisgarh: Victims of the Naxalite Movement and Salwa Judum Campaign|journal=Asian Centre for Human Rights|page=42|location=New Delhi|year=2006|url=http://www.achrweb.org/reports/india/Chattis0106.pdf|access-date=12 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100319202800/http://www.achrweb.org///reports/india/Chattis0106.pdf|archive-date=19 March 2010}}</ref> burning people alive,<ref>{{citation|title=His Brother Was Burnt Alive|url=http://www.tehelka.com/his-brother-was-burnt-alive/|first=Prakhar|last=Jain|work=Tehelka|volume=9|issue=14|date=7 April 2012|access-date=24 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928025506/http://www.tehelka.com/his-brother-was-burnt-alive/|archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref> and the looting of property and destruction of homes.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite news|title=Salwa Judum victims assured of relief|date=16 December 2008|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/16/stories/2008121659190500.htm|access-date=12 April 2010|location=Chennai, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226062509/http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/16/stories/2008121659190500.htm|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=26 December 2008}}</ref> These allegations were rejected by a fact-finding commission of the [[National Human Rights Commission of India]], appointed by the [[Supreme Court of India]], who determined that the Salwa Judum was a spontaneous reaction by tribes against Maoist atrocities perpetrated against them.<ref name=nh>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Existence_of_Salwa_Judum_necessary/articleshow/3565263.cms 'Existence of Salwa Judum necessary'] ''[[The Economic Times]]'', 6 October 2008.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1196081|title=NHRC justifies Salwa Judum operations|work=dna|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> The camps are guarded by police officers, paramilitary forces and [[Children in the military|child soldiers]]<ref name="alertnet.org"/><ref name="achr"/> empowered with the official title "special police officer" (SPO).<ref name="achr"/><ref name="fedachild">{{cite web|author1=Zemp, Ueli|author2=Mohapatra, Subash|title= Child Soldiers in Chhattisgarh: Issues, Challenges and FFDA's Response|publisher=Other India Press|date= 29 July 2007|url=http://www.otherindia.org/dev/images/stories/feda_child.pdf|access-date= 12 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727155422/http://www.otherindia.org/dev/images/stories/feda_child.pdf|archive-date= 27 July 2011}}</ref>
However, on 5 July 2011, the Supreme Court of India declared the Salwa Judum as illegal and unconstitutional. The court directed the Chhattisgarh government to recover all the firearms given to the militia along with the ammunition and accessories. It also ordered the government to investigate all instances of alleged criminal activities of Salwa Judum.<ref name="Hindu">{{Cite news|title=Salwa Judum is illegal, says SC|newspaper= The Hindu|publisher=The Hindu Group|date=5 July 2011|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2161246.ece|access-date= 26 November 2011|location=Chennai, India|first=J.|last=Venkatesan}}</ref> But, the state government did not abide by the Supreme Court's decision. In August 2013, the Supreme Court of India asked the state government to explain that "why its failure to execute the July 2011 order of disbanding the SPOs not considered as contempt of court.".<ref>{{cite news|title=Grey areas in anti-Naxal operations|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/grey-areas-in-antinaxal-operations/1160005/0|first=Ashutosh|last=Bhardwaj|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=26 August 2013|access-date=24 September 2013}}</ref> In March 2019, a municipal school teacher, Yogendra Meshram was killed by the Maoists in Korchi, which was vehemently protested by locals. The Maoist leadership later apologized for the killing stating it to be a mistake and that Meshram was innocent wrongly suspected to be a police informer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maoists-apologised-for-killing-teacher-in-maharashtra-says-police-2010996|title=Killing Maharashtra Teacher Was Mistake, Maoists Wrote In Apology: Police|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>
However, on 5 July 2011, the Supreme Court of India declared the Salwa Judum as illegal and unconstitutional. The court directed the Chhattisgarh government to recover all the firearms given to the militia along with the ammunition and accessories. It also ordered the government to investigate all instances of alleged criminal activities of Salwa Judum.<ref name="Hindu">{{Cite news|title=Salwa Judum is illegal, says SC|newspaper= The Hindu|publisher=The Hindu Group|date=5 July 2011|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2161246.ece|access-date= 26 November 2011|location=Chennai, India|first=J.|last=Venkatesan}}</ref> But, the state government did not abide by the Supreme Court's decision. In August 2013, the Supreme Court of India asked the state government to explain that "why its failure to execute the July 2011 order of disbanding the SPOs not considered as contempt of court.".<ref>{{cite news|title=Grey areas in anti-Naxal operations|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/grey-areas-in-antinaxal-operations/1160005/0|first=Ashutosh|last=Bhardwaj|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=26 August 2013|access-date=24 September 2013}}</ref> In March 2019, a municipal school teacher, Yogendra Meshram was killed by the Maoists in Korchi, which was vehemently protested by locals. The Maoist leadership later apologized for the killing stating it to be a mistake and that Meshram was wrongly suspected to be a police informer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maoists-apologised-for-killing-teacher-in-maharashtra-says-police-2010996|title=Killing Maharashtra Teacher Was Mistake, Maoists Wrote In Apology: Police|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2019-03-26}}</ref>


==International connections==
==International connections==
The CPI (Maoist) maintains dialogue with the [[Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)]] who control most of [[Nepal]] in the [[Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia]] (CCOMPOSA), according to several intelligence sources and think tanks.<ref name=satpprofile/> These links are, however, denied by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre)<ref>[http://www.pulitzercenter.org/openitem.cfm?id=985 "Nepali Maoists Deny Ongoing Links with Indian Counterparts" by Jason Motlagh, World Politics Review. 6/12/08]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621005718/http://www.pulitzercenter.org/openitem.cfm?id=985|date=21 June 2010}}</ref>
The CPI (Maoist) maintains dialogue with the [[Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)]] who control most of [[Nepal]] in the [[Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia]] (CCOMPOSA), according to several intelligence sources and think tanks.<ref name=satpprofile/> These links are, however, denied by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre)<ref>[http://www.pulitzercenter.org/openitem.cfm?id=985 "Nepali Maoists Deny Ongoing Links with Indian Counterparts" by Jason Motlagh, World Politics Review. 6/12/08]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621005718/http://www.pulitzercenter.org/openitem.cfm?id=985|date=21 June 2010}}</ref>


While under detention in June 2009, a suspected [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] (LeT) operative indicated that the LeT and the CPI (Maoist) had attempted to co-ordinate activities in Jharkhand state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-19/india/28152161_1_qutub-minar-area-police-remand-metropolitan-magistrate-manish-yaduvanshi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025072212/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-19/india/28152161_1_qutub-minar-area-police-remand-metropolitan-magistrate-manish-yaduvanshi|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 October 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Madni revealed LeT links with Maoists: Police|access-date=17 July 2015}}</ref> But, Ganapathy has denied any links between CPI (Maoist) and LeT, stating that the allegations are "only mischievous, calculated propaganda by the police officials, bureaucrats and leaders of the reactionary political parties" to malign the Maoists' image with the aim of labeling them as terrorists in order to justify "their brutal terror campaign against Maoists and the people in the areas of armed agrarian struggle."<ref name="OPEN-Ganapathy"/> Kishenji also criticised LeT for having "wrong" and "anti-people" policies; though he said that the Maoists may consider backing up a few of their demands, if LeT will halt its "terrorist acts".<ref name="Tehelka-Kishenji">{{Citation|title=I Am The Real Desh Bhakt|url=http://tehelka.com/i-am-the-real-desh-bhakt/?singlepage=1|work=[[Tehelka]]|issue=46|volume= 6|first=Tusha|last=Mittal|date=21 November 2009|access-date=23 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928033339/http://www.tehelka.com/i-am-the-real-desh-bhakt/?singlepage=1|archive-date=28 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
While under detention in June 2009, a suspected [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] (LeT) operative indicated that the LeT and the CPI (Maoist) had attempted to co-ordinate activities in Jharkhand state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-19/india/28152161_1_qutub-minar-area-police-remand-metropolitan-magistrate-manish-yaduvanshi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025072212/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-06-19/india/28152161_1_qutub-minar-area-police-remand-metropolitan-magistrate-manish-yaduvanshi|archive-date=25 October 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Madni revealed LeT links with Maoists: Police|access-date=17 July 2015}}</ref> But, Ganapathy has denied any links between CPI (Maoist) and LeT, stating that the allegations are "only mischievous, calculated propaganda by the police officials, bureaucrats and leaders of the reactionary political parties" to malign the Maoists' image with the aim of labeling them as terrorists in order to justify "their brutal terror campaign against Maoists and the people in the areas of armed agrarian struggle."<ref name="OPEN-Ganapathy"/> Kishenji also criticised LeT for having "wrong" and "anti-people" policies; though he said that the Maoists may consider backing up a few of their demands, if LeT will halt its "terrorist acts".<ref name="Tehelka-Kishenji">{{Citation|title=I Am The Real Desh Bhakt|url=http://tehelka.com/i-am-the-real-desh-bhakt/?singlepage=1|work=[[Tehelka]]|issue=46|volume= 6|first=Tusha|last=Mittal|date=21 November 2009|access-date=23 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928033339/http://www.tehelka.com/i-am-the-real-desh-bhakt/?singlepage=1|archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref>


Reports in 2010 indicate that the [[Communist Party of the Philippines]], Southeast Asia's longest-lived communist insurgent group, has been reported to have engaged in training activities for guerrilla warfare with Indian Maoists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100406-262607/RP-Reds-now-train-Maoist-rebs-in-India|author=Jerome Aning|title=RP Reds now train Maoist rebs in India|website=newsinfo.inquirer.net|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720211128/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100406-262607/RP-Reds-now-train-Maoist-rebs-in-India|archive-date=20 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Reports in 2010 indicate that the [[Communist Party of the Philippines]], Southeast Asia's longest-lived communist insurgent group, has been reported to have engaged in training activities for guerrilla warfare with Indian Maoists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100406-262607/RP-Reds-now-train-Maoist-rebs-in-India|author=Jerome Aning|title=RP Reds now train Maoist rebs in India|website=newsinfo.inquirer.net|publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720211128/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100406-262607/RP-Reds-now-train-Maoist-rebs-in-India|archive-date=20 July 2015}}</ref>


The Indian Maoists deny operational links with foreign groups, such as the Nepalese Maoists, but do claim comradeship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/49674_10049674.html|title=Naxalites to host Nepalese Maoist leader in Kolkata|work=Thaindian News|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> Some members of the Indian government accept this,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c3sindia.org/india/1259|title=C3s » The Maoist Insurgency in India|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> while others argue that operational links do exist, with training coming from Sri-Lankan Maoists and small arms from China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KK11Df03.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113085003/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KK11Df03.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=13 November 2009|title=Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> China denies any suggestion that it supports foreign Maoist rebels, citing improvements in relations between India and China, including movement towards resolving their border disputes. Maoists in Nepal, India, and the Philippines are less reticent about their shared goals.<ref>[http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers5/paper446.html Nepal Maoists, India & China – by B.Raman] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302001612/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers5/paper446.html|date=2 March 2012}}</ref>
The Indian Maoists deny operational links with foreign groups, such as the Nepalese Maoists, but do claim comradeship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/49674_10049674.html|title=Naxalites to host Nepalese Maoist leader in Kolkata|work=Thaindian News|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116045056/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/49674_10049674.html}}</ref> Some members of the Indian government accept this,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c3sindia.org/india/1259|title=C3s » The Maoist Insurgency in India|access-date=7 December 2014|archive-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721025116/http://www.c3sindia.org/india/1259|url-status=dead}}</ref> while others argue that operational links do exist, with training coming from Sri-Lankan Maoists and small arms from China.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KK11Df03.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113085003/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KK11Df03.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=13 November 2009|title=Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan|access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> China denies any suggestion that it supports foreign Maoist rebels, citing improvements in relations between India and China, including movement towards resolving their border disputes. Maoists in Nepal, India, and the Philippines are less reticent about their shared goals.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120302001612/http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/papers5/paper446.html Nepal Maoists, India & China – by B.Raman]}}</ref>


==Indian Government's paramilitary offensive against the CPI (Maoist)==
==Indian Government's paramilitary offensive against the CPI (Maoist)==
{{main|Operation Green Hunt}}
{{main|Operation Green Hunt}}
In September 2009, a all-out offensive was launched by the [[Government of India]]'s [[Paramilitary forces of India|paramilitary forces]] and the state's police forces against the CPI (Maoist) is termed by the [[Media of India|Indian media]] as the "[[Operation Green Hunt]]".<ref name="TH-101706">{{cite news|title=Green Hunt: the anatomy of an operation|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/green-hunt-the-anatomy-of-an-operation/article101706.ece|first=Aman|last=Sethi|newspaper=The Hindu|date=6 February 2013|access-date=30 October 2013}}</ref>
In September 2009, an all-out offensive was launched by the Government of India's [[Paramilitary forces of India|paramilitary forces]] and the state's police forces against the CPI (Maoist) is termed by the [[Mass media in India|Indian media]] as the "[[Operation Green Hunt]]".<ref name="TH-101706">{{cite news|title=Green Hunt: the anatomy of an operation|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/green-hunt-the-anatomy-of-an-operation/article101706.ece|first=Aman|last=Sethi|newspaper=The Hindu|date=6 February 2013|access-date=30 October 2013}}</ref>


On 3 January 2013, government issued a statement that it is deploying 10,000 more central paramilitary personnel in [[Bastar division|Bastar]], Odisha and some parts of Jharkhand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Incidents and Statements involving CPI-Maoist: 2013|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/terroristoutfits/CPI_M_Timeline13.htm |publisher=SATP|location=New Delhi|access-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> On 8 June 2014, the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]] officially approved the deployment of another 10,000 troops from the paramilitary forces to fight against the Maoists in Chhattisgarh.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chhattisgarh gears for 'result–oriented' approach against Maoists|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/chhattisgarh-gears-for-resultoriented-approach-against-maoists/article6107418.ece|first=Pavan|last=Dahat|newspaper=The Hindu|location=Raipur|date=12 June 2014|access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> The count of personnel from [[State Armed Police Forces]] involved in counter-[[Maoism]] operations in the [[Red corridor]] is estimated to number around 200,000.<ref name="BS-113092700488"/> Along with [[firearm]]s, the armed forces' personnel use [[satellite phone]]s, [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s and [[Military helicopter|Air Force helicopters]].<ref name="BS-113092700488"/>
On 3 January 2013, government issued a statement that it is deploying 10,000 more central paramilitary personnel in [[Bastar division|Bastar]], Odisha and some parts of Jharkhand.<ref>{{cite web|title=Incidents and Statements involving CPI-Maoist: 2013|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/terroristoutfits/CPI_M_Timeline13.htm|publisher=SATP|location=New Delhi|access-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> On 8 June 2014, the [[Minister of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]] officially approved the deployment of another 10,000 troops from the paramilitary forces to fight against the Maoists in Chhattisgarh.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chhattisgarh gears for 'result–oriented' approach against Maoists|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/chhattisgarh-gears-for-resultoriented-approach-against-maoists/article6107418.ece|first=Pavan|last=Dahat|newspaper=The Hindu|location=Raipur|date=12 June 2014|access-date=13 June 2014}}</ref> The count of personnel from [[State Armed Police Forces]] involved in counter-Maoism operations in the [[Red corridor]] is estimated to number around 200,000.<ref name="BS-113092700488"/> Along with [[firearm]]s, the armed forces' personnel use [[satellite phone]]s, [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s and [[Military helicopter|Air Force helicopters]].<ref name="BS-113092700488"/>


In 2011, the Indian Army while denying its direct role in the offensive operations accepted that it has been training the paramilitary personnel to fight against the Maoists, however, the Maoists have objected to the Army's stationing in the Red corridor.<ref>{{citation|title=Indian Army Raises the Stakes in Its War Against the Maoists|url=http://world.time.com/2011/06/27/army-raises-the-stakes-in-fight-against-the-naxals/|first=Jyoti|last=Thottam|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=27 June 2011|access-date=30 August 2013}}</ref> On 30 May 2013, the Indian Air Force's [[Air chief marshal|Air Chief Marshal]] declared that apart from the currently operating [[Mil Mi-17|MI-17]] helicopters, the Indian Force has decided to induce a unit of MI-17V5 helicopters to "provide full support to anti-Naxal operations."<ref name="TH-4763722">{{cite news|title=Air Force to lend support for anti-Naxal operations|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-force-to-lend-support-for-antinaxal-operations/article4763722.ece|work=The Hindu|publisher=The Hindu Group|date=30 May 2013}}</ref> In August 2014, the Ministry of Home Affairs had stated that 2,000 personnel from the [[Nagaland]]'s Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) were deployed in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations against the Maoists in Bastar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Government to send 2,000 para-military men of Naga unit to fight Maoists in Bastar|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-to-send-2000-para-military-men-of-naga-unit-to-fight-maoists-in-bastar/articleshow/40383919.cms|first=Aman|last=Sharma|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=19 August 2014|access-date=21 August 2014}}</ref>
In 2011, the Indian Army while denying its direct role in the offensive operations accepted that it has been training the paramilitary personnel to fight against the Maoists, however, the Maoists have objected to the Army's stationing in the Red corridor.<ref>{{citation|title=Indian Army Raises the Stakes in Its War Against the Maoists|url=https://world.time.com/2011/06/27/army-raises-the-stakes-in-fight-against-the-naxals/|first=Jyoti|last=Thottam|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=27 June 2011|access-date=30 August 2013}}</ref> On 30 May 2013, the Indian Air Force's [[Air chief marshal|Air Chief Marshal]] declared that apart from the currently operating [[Mil Mi-17|MI-17]] helicopters, the Indian Force has decided to induce a unit of MI-17V5 helicopters to "provide full support to anti-Naxal operations."<ref name="TH-4763722">{{cite news|title=Air Force to lend support for anti-Naxal operations|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/air-force-to-lend-support-for-antinaxal-operations/article4763722.ece|work=The Hindu|publisher=The Hindu Group|date=30 May 2013}}</ref> In August 2014, the Ministry of Home Affairs had stated that 2,000 personnel from the [[Nagaland]]'s Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) were deployed in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations against the Maoists in Bastar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Government to send 2,000 para-military men of Naga unit to fight Maoists in Bastar|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-to-send-2000-para-military-men-of-naga-unit-to-fight-maoists-in-bastar/articleshow/40383919.cms|first=Aman|last=Sharma|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=19 August 2014|access-date=21 August 2014}}</ref>


Since the start of the operation: 2,266 Maoist militants have been killed, 10,181 have been arrested and 9,714 have surrendered.<ref>https://www.satp.org/datasheet-terrorist-attack/surrender/india-maoistinsurgency</ref>
Since the start of the operation: 2,266 Maoist militants have been killed, 10,181 have been arrested and 9,714 have surrendered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.satp.org/datasheet-terrorist-attack/surrender/india-maoistinsurgency|title=Datasheet-terrorist-attack-surrender }}</ref>


==Notable attacks==
==Notable attacks==
{{main|Timeline of the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency}}
{{main|Timeline of the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency}}
*On 12 June 2009, at least 29 members of the [[Indian Police Service|Indian Police]] were killed<ref>{{Cite news|date=2009-07-13|title=Ambush kills 29 Indian policemen|language=en-GB|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8147097.stm|access-date=2021-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=20 police die in apparent rebel attacks in India|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31876007|access-date=2021-09-05|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref> in an ambush attack by Maoist rebels in [[Rajnandgaon]], 90&nbsp;km (56&nbsp;mi) from [[Raipur]] (India's [[Chhattisgarh]] state).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref>
*On 12 June 2009, at least 29 members of the [[Indian Police Service|Indian Police]] were killed<ref>{{Cite news|date=2009-07-13|title=Ambush kills 29 Indian policemen|language=en-GB|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8147097.stm|access-date=2021-09-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=20 police die in apparent rebel attacks in India|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna31876007|access-date=2021-09-05|website=NBC News|date=12 July 2009|language=en}}</ref> in an ambush attack by Maoist rebels in [[Rajnandgaon]], 90&nbsp;km (56&nbsp;mi) from [[Raipur]] (India's Chhattisgarh state).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref>
*On 15 February 2010, several of the guerrilla commanders of CPI (Maoist), all of whom are believed to be female, killed 24 personnel of the [[Eastern Frontier Rifles]] at Silda in West Bengal.<ref name="Rahul" />{{rp|97–98}} The attack was directed by Kishenji,<ref name="ndtv">{{cite news|title=Who is Kishenji? |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/who-is-kishenji-152927|work=NDTV|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> and after the Naxalites' raid at the paramilitary camp, Kishenji addressed the [[news media]] saying, "We have not started it (violence) and we will not stop it first. Let us see whether the central government is honest about a solution and we will definitely co–operate.... This is the answer to [[P. Chidambaram|Chidambaram]]'s 'Operation Green Hunt' and unless the Centre stop this inhuman military operation, we are going to answer the Centre this way only."<ref>{{cite news|title=Kishenji claims responsibility for attack|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-15/india/28144717_1_kishenji-abjure-violence-top-maoist-leader|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811040502/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-15/india/28144717_1_kishenji-abjure-violence-top-maoist-leader|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|agency=Press Trust of India|date=15 February 2010|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref>
*On 15 February 2010, several of the guerrilla commanders of CPI (Maoist), all of whom are believed to be female, killed 24 personnel of the [[Eastern Frontier Rifles]] at Silda in West Bengal.<ref name="Rahul"/>{{rp|97–98}} The attack was reportedly directed by Kishenji,<ref name="ndtv">{{cite news|title=Who is Kishenji?|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/who-is-kishenji-152927|work=NDTV|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> and after the Maoist raid at the paramilitary camp, Kishenji addressed the [[news media]] saying, "We have not started it (violence) and we will not stop it first. Let us see whether the central government is honest about a solution and we will definitely co–operate.... This is the answer to Chidambaram's 'Operation Green Hunt' and unless the Centre stop this inhuman military operation, we are going to answer the Centre this way only."<ref>{{cite news|title=Kishenji claims responsibility for attack|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kishenji-claims-responsibility-for-attack/articleshow/5577215.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811040502/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-02-15/india/28144717_1_kishenji-abjure-violence-top-maoist-leader|archive-date=11 August 2011|agency=Press Trust of India|date=15 February 2010|work=[[The Times of India]]|url-status=live|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref>
*On 6 April 2010, the Maoists ambushed and killed 76 paramilitary personnel who felled out to the trap laid by the lurking Maoists. The CPI (Maoist) described the incident as a "direct consequence" of the Operation Green Hunt stating that "We have been surrounded by paramilitary battalions. They are setting fire to the forests and making adivasis (tribals) flee. In this situation, we have no other alternative (but to stage attacks)."<ref>{{cite news|title=Chhatisgarh attack 'consequence' of Green Hunt: Maoist leader|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/Chhatisgarh-attack-consequence-of-Green-Hunt-Maoist-leader/Article1-528028.aspx|agency=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=HT Media Limited|date=6 April 2010|access-date=13 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228155830/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Chhatisgarh-attack-consequence-of-Green-Hunt-Maoist-leader/Article1-528028.aspx|archive-date=28 December 2013|df=dmy}}</ref>
*On 6 April 2010, the Maoists ambushed and killed 76 paramilitary personnel who fell into a trap laid by the lurking Maoists. The CPI (Maoist) described the incident as a "direct consequence" of the Operation Green Hunt stating that "We have been surrounded by paramilitary battalions. They are setting fire to the forests and making adivasis (tribals) flee. In this situation, we have no other alternative (but to stage attacks)."<ref>{{cite news|title=Chhatisgarh attack 'consequence' of Green Hunt: Maoist leader|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/newdelhi/Chhatisgarh-attack-consequence-of-Green-Hunt-Maoist-leader/Article1-528028.aspx|agency=Indo-Asian News Service|publisher=HT Media Limited|date=6 April 2010|access-date=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228155830/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Chhatisgarh-attack-consequence-of-Green-Hunt-Maoist-leader/Article1-528028.aspx|archive-date=28 December 2013|df=dmy}}</ref>
*On 25 May 2013, [[2013 Naxal attack in Darbha valley|the CPI (Maoist) ambushed a convoy of the Indian National Congress]] at [[Bastar district|Bastar]], and killed 27 people including [[Mahendra Karma]], [[Nand Kumar Patel]] and [[Vidya Charan Shukla]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Maoists say Bastar attack was to punish Cong leaders|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maoists-say-bastar-attack-was-to-punish-cong-leaders/article1-1067040.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821225608/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maoists-say-bastar-attack-was-to-punish-cong-leaders/article1-1067040.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2014|work=Hindustan Times|date=28 May 2013|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> While regretting the death of a few "innocent Congress [INC] functionaries" during the incident, they hold the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and [[Indian National Congress]]' policies which they view as "anti-people" in nature, as directly responsible for the attack.<ref>{{cite news|title=We punished Karma for launching Salwa Judum: Maoists|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maoists-responsibility-for-attack-on-congress-leaders-in-chhattisgarh/1/273410.html|work=India Today Group|date=28 May 2013|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> Later, 14 Maoist who had allegedly participated in the ambush<ref>{{cite news|title=14 Maoists killed in encounter in Odisha|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/14-maoists-killed-in-encounter-in-odisha-418539|work=NDTV|date=14 September 2013|access-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> were gunned down in Odisha by the [[Special Operation Group]] with the assistance of [[Border Security Force]].<ref>{{cite news|title='Don't enter Odisha', DGP warns Maoists from other states|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Odisha/Don-t-enter-Odisha-DGP-warns-Maoists-from-other-states/Article1-1122106.aspx|agency=Press Trust of India|publisher=HT Media Limited|date=14 September 2013|access-date=13 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020085841/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Odisha/Don-t-enter-Odisha-DGP-warns-Maoists-from-other-states/Article1-1122106.aspx|archive-date=20 October 2013|df=dmy}}</ref>
*On 25 May 2013, [[2013 Naxal attack in Darbha valley|the CPI (Maoist) ambushed a convoy of the Indian National Congress]] at [[Bastar district|Bastar]], and killed 27 people including [[Mahendra Karma]], [[Nand Kumar Patel]] and [[Vidya Charan Shukla]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Maoists say Bastar attack was to punish Cong leaders|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maoists-say-bastar-attack-was-to-punish-cong-leaders/article1-1067040.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821225608/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/maoists-say-bastar-attack-was-to-punish-cong-leaders/article1-1067040.aspx|archive-date=21 August 2014|work=Hindustan Times|date=28 May 2013|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> While regretting the death of a few "innocent Congress [INC] functionaries" during the incident, they hold the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and [[Indian National Congress]]' policies which they view as "anti-people" in nature, as directly responsible for the attack.<ref>{{cite news|title=We punished Karma for launching Salwa Judum: Maoists|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/maoists-responsibility-for-attack-on-congress-leaders-in-chhattisgarh-164643-2013-05-27|work=India Today Group|date=28 May 2013|access-date=13 March 2014}}</ref> Later, 14 Maoist who had allegedly participated in the ambush<ref>{{cite news|title=14 Maoists killed in encounter in Odisha|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/14-maoists-killed-in-encounter-in-odisha-418539|work=NDTV|date=14 September 2013|access-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> were gunned down in Odisha by the [[Special Operation Group (Odisha)|Special Operation Group]] with the assistance of [[Border Security Force]].<ref>{{cite news|title='Don't enter Odisha', DGP warns Maoists from other states|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Odisha/Don-t-enter-Odisha-DGP-warns-Maoists-from-other-states/Article1-1122106.aspx|agency=Press Trust of India|publisher=HT Media Limited|date=14 September 2013|access-date=13 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020085841/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Odisha/Don-t-enter-Odisha-DGP-warns-Maoists-from-other-states/Article1-1122106.aspx|archive-date=20 October 2013|df=dmy}}</ref>
*On 3 April 2021, twenty-two soldiers were killed in a Maoist ambush on the border of Bijapur and Sukma districts in southern Chhattisgarh. Those killed included 14 Chhattisgarh policemen and seven jawans of the CRPF, including six members of its elite CoBRA unit, specially trained to take on Maoist guerillas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sood|first=Sanjiv Krishan|title=Chhattisgarh Maoist ambush shows leadership failure – both by security forces and the government|url=https://scroll.in/article/991562/chhattisgarh-maoist-ambush-shows-leadership-failure-both-by-security-forces-and-the-government|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref>
*On 3 April 2021, twenty-two soldiers were killed in a Maoist ambush on the border of Bijapur and Sukma districts in southern Chhattisgarh. Those killed included 14 Chhattisgarh policemen and seven jawans of the CRPF, including six members of its elite CoBRA unit, specially trained to take on Maoist guerillas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sood|first=Sanjiv Krishan|title=Chhattisgarh Maoist ambush shows leadership failure – both by security forces and the government|url=https://scroll.in/article/991562/chhattisgarh-maoist-ambush-shows-leadership-failure-both-by-security-forces-and-the-government|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Scroll.in|date=7 April 2021|language=en-US}}</ref>
*On 4 January 2022, CPI (Maoist) attacked former BJP MLA of Manoharpur Gurucharan Nayak in [[West Singhbhum district]] of Jharkhand. Nayak escaped but the Maoists slit the throat of his two bodyguards, snatched their AK-47 rifles and fled. The two bodyguards died in the incident.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-newsflash-jharkhand-maoist-attack-on-ex-bjp-mla-leaves-his-two-bodyguards-dead/408278|title=Jharkhand: Maoist Attack On Ex BJP MLA Leaves His Two Bodyguards Dead|website=outlook|date=4 January 2022|access-date=22 September 2022}}</ref>
*On April 26, 2023, 10 policemen and their driver belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of [[Chhattisgarh Police]] were killed in an [[Improvised explosive device|IED]] attack by Maoists in Dantewada District, Chhattisgarh. The forces were attacked while returning from counterinsurgency operations in the area.<ref>{{Cite web|title=10 Cops, Driver Killed In Blast By Maoists In Chhattisgarh's Dantewada|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ten-police-personnel-driver-killed-in-blast-by-maoists-in-chhattisgarhs-dantewada-3980986|access-date=2024-09-18|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 148: Line 183:
*[[List of organisations banned by the Government of India]]
*[[List of organisations banned by the Government of India]]
*[[Anti-revisionism]]
*[[Anti-revisionism]]
*[[Naxalite#Operation Steeplechase|Operation Steeplechase]]
*[[Revolutionary Internationalist Movement]]
*[[Revolutionary Internationalist Movement]]
*[[List of communist parties]]
*[[List of communist parties]]
*[[List of Naxalite and Maoist groups in India]]
*[[List of Naxalite and Maoist groups in India]]
*[[List of anti-revisionist groups]]
*[[Red Ant Dream]]
*[[Red Ant Dream]]
*[[Deo Kumar Singh]]
*[[Ganapathy (Maoist)]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


Line 161: Line 194:


==External links==
==External links==
:'''Interview''':
*[http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/A-ceasefire-will-create-conducive-atmosphere-for-talks-Azad/article15519652.ece An exclusive interview to The Hindu by Azad, spokesperson of the Communist Party of India (Maoist)], ''[[The Hindu]]''
*[http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/A-ceasefire-will-create-conducive-atmosphere-for-talks-Azad/article15519652.ece An exclusive interview to The Hindu by Azad, spokesperson of the Communist Party of India (Maoist)], ''[[The Hindu]]''
*[http://www.thehindu.com/migration_catalog/article16327292.ece/BINARY/Edited%20text%20of%2012,262-word%20response%20by%20Azad,%20Spokesperson,%20Central%20Committee,%20CPI%20(Maoist) Interview With Communist Party of India (Maoist) Spokesperson Azad], ''[[The Hindu]]''
*[http://www.thehindu.com/migration_catalog/article16327292.ece/BINARY/Edited%20text%20of%2012,262-word%20response%20by%20Azad,%20Spokesperson,%20Central%20Committee,%20CPI%20(Maoist) Interview With Communist Party of India (Maoist) Spokesperson Azad], ''[[The Hindu]]''
*[http://www.janmyrdalsallskapet.se/av-jan-myrdal/item/8-intervju-med-cpis-generalsekreterare.html Interview With Comrade Ganapathy, General Secretary (GS), CPI (Maoist)] given to Swedish writer [[Jan Myrdal]] and [[Gautam Navlakha]], January 2010
*[http://www.janmyrdalsallskapet.se/av-jan-myrdal/item/8-intervju-med-cpis-generalsekreterare.html Interview With Comrade Ganapathy, General Secretary (GS), CPI (Maoist)] given to Swedish writer [[Jan Myrdal]] and [[Gautam Navlakha]], January 2010
*[http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/100lb-guerillas The French journalist, Vanessa's conversation with Narmada and several other Comrades], ''[[Open (Indian magazine)|OPEN]]''
*[http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/100lb-guerillas The French journalist, Vanessa's conversation with Narmada and several other Comrades], ''[[Open (Indian magazine)|OPEN]]''
:'''Documentary''':
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-south-asia-12662941 What is daily life inside a Maoist forest hideout like?] — ''[[BBC]]''
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12662941 What is daily life inside a Maoist forest hideout like?] — ''[[BBC]]''
*[http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/11770435724/ India's Red Tide] — ''[[Dateline (Australian TV program)|SBS Dateline]]''
*[http://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/11770435724/ India's Red Tide] — ''[[Dateline (Australian TV program)|SBS Dateline]]''
:'''Other''':
*[http://www.icawpi.org/ International Campaign Against War on the People in India]
*[http://www.icawpi.org/ International Campaign Against War on the People in India]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150614134007/http://www.tehelka.com/are-we-the-enemy-you-fear/ Are We The Enemy You Fear?], ''[[Tehelka]]''
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150614134007/http://www.tehelka.com/are-we-the-enemy-you-fear/ Are We The Enemy You Fear?], ''[[Tehelka]]''
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[[Category:Far-left politics in India]]
[[Category:Far-left politics in India]]
[[Category:Maoist organisations in India]]
[[Category:Maoist organisations in India]]
[[Category:Marxism–Leninism–Maoism]]
[[Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by India]]
[[Category:Organisations designated as terrorist by India]]
[[Category:Organizations designated as terrorist in Asia]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Asia designated as terrorist]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2004]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2004]]

Latest revision as of 13:42, 9 March 2026



Communist Party of India (Maoist)
AbbreviationCPI (Maoist)
General SecretaryThippiri TirupathiTemplate:Surrendered
Founded21 September 2004
Banned22 June 2009
Merger of • CPI(ML) People's War
 • MCC
 • CPI(ML) Naxalbari
Student wing • AIRSF
 • Radical Students Union
Youth wingRadical Youth League
Women's wingKrantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan
Paramilitary wings • PLGA
 • People's Militia
Trade union wingSikasa (alleged)
Cultural organisationChetna Natya Manch
Ideology
Political positionFar-left
Motives
  • Overthrow of the Government of India by means of armed rebellion[1]
  • Establishment of a Maoist regime in India[1]
  • To destroy the state machinery and establish the Indian People's Democratic Federative Republic[1]
Active region(s)India (mainly in Red corridor)
Status
Party flag
Part of a series on
Communist parties
Africa
Americas
Asia

Former parties

Europe

Former parties

Oceania

Former parties

Related topics
Part of a series on
Communism in India
Personalities
Colonial Period and Partition
Cold War years
Contemporary movements
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The Communist Party of India (Maoist) is a banned Marxist–Leninist–Maoist[3][4] communist political party and militant organization[5] in India which aims to overthrow the Republic of India through protracted people's war. It was founded on 21 September 2004, through the merger of the CPIML People's War and the MCCI. The party has been designated as a terrorist organisation in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act since 2009.[6][7][8]

In 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh referred to the Maoists as "the single biggest internal security challenge" for India,[9][10] and said that the "deprived and alienated sections of the population" form the backbone of the Maoist movement in India.[11] The government officials have declared that, in 2013, 76 districts in the country were affected by "left wing extremism", with another 106 districts in ideological influence.[12] Chhattisgarh is often affected by the party's militant activities.

In 2024, the party faced a major setback when the government increased their counterinsurgency operations in states affected by the insurgency.[13] Another setback occurred in 2025 when the leader of the group Nambala Keshava Rao was killed in an encounter with Security forces in Chhattisgarh.[14]

History[edit | edit source]

The Communist Party of India (Maoist) was founded on 21 September 2004, through the merger of the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) People's War (People's War Group), and the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI). The high-level bi-lateral meetings between the two erstwhile parties started in February 2003[4] and continued for several months, entailing discussions on major questions concerning their future political orientation. In the course of these, unity could be found and 5 Key Papers for the new, unified organisation were finalized and adopted:

• "Hold High the Bright Red Banner of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism", a primarily ideological document explaining the unified party's understanding of the development and content of Marxism–Leninism-Maoism. It forms the cornerstone of the party's ideological-political principles and views.

• "Party Programme", a concise 35-point outline of the party's general political line, synthesized out of more than 30 years of experience of the MCCI and the PWG. It includes the Indian Revolution's minimum and maximum programmes for establishing Socialism-Communism as to the Maoists.

• "Party Constitution", the foremost political-organisational document laying down the Maoists' general programme, the rights and duties of their members, party discipline, organisational structure and how they acquire their funds for operations.

• "Strategy and Tactics of the Indian Revolution", an elaborate class analysis of Indian society, followed up by "the determination of the main blow" of the CPI (Maoist)'s forces at its given stage, as well as the forms of struggle and organisation the Maoists see as appropriate for achieving their aim of "New Democratic and Socialist Revolution".

• "Political Resolution", a detailed analysis of India's Domestic Situation, as well as the International Situation, alongside its call for build the "subjective forces", i.e. the communists' vanguard-capability, to utilize what they evaluated as an "excellent revolutionary situation".

The merger was first declared in a "Unity Commune" formed with extensive cultural programmes and security precautions which went on from early September to early October.[15] Following that, the founding of the unified party was finally announced to the public on 14 October of the same year.[16][17] In the course of the merger, a provisional central committee was constituted, with the erstwhile People's War Group leader Muppala Lakshmana Rao, alias "Ganapathi", as general secretary.[18] Further, on May Day 2014, the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Naxalbari merged into the CPI (Maoist).[19]

Ideology[edit | edit source]

The CPI (Maoist) observes that the Indian state is being "run by a collaboration of imperialists, the comprador bourgeoisie and feudal lords."[20] According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal, the two factions of the Party adhered to differing strands of communism prior to their 2004 merger, although "both organizations shared their belief in the 'annihilation of class enemies' and in extreme violence as a means to secure organizational goals." The People's War Group (PWG) maintained a Marxist–Leninist stance, while the Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI) took a Maoist stance. After the merger, the PWG secretary of Andhra Pradesh announced that the newly formed CPI-Maoist would follow Marxism–Leninism–Maoism as its "ideological basis guiding its thinking in all spheres of its activities." Included in this ideology is a commitment to "protracted armed struggle" to undermine and to seize power from the state.[18] On May Day 2014, Ganapathy and Ajith (Secretary of the CPI (ML) Naxalbari) also issued a joint statement stating that "the unified party would [continue to] take Marxism-Leninism-Maoism as its guiding ideology."[19]

The ideology of the party is contained in a "Party Programme." In the document, the Maoists denounce globalisation as a war on the people by market fundamentalists and the caste system as a form of social oppression.[21] The CPI (Maoist) claim that they are conducting a "people's war", a strategic approach developed by Mao Zedong during the guerrilla warfare phase of the Chinese Communist Party. Their eventual objective is to install a "people's government" via a New Democratic Revolution.[21]

Location and prominence[edit | edit source]

CPI(Maoist) currently operates in the forest belt around central India in the states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha. It is present even in remote regions of Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, as well as in Bihar and the tribal-dominated areas in the borderlands of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Odisha. The CPI (Maoist) aims to consolidate its power in this area and establish a Compact Revolutionary Zone from which to advance the people's war in other parts of India.[18] A 2005 Frontline cover story called the Bhamragad Taluka, where the Madia Gond Adivasis live, the heart of the Maoist-affected region in Maharashtra.[22] Recently, the Indian government has claimed that in 2013, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal experienced [ideological] "influence" of "Left Wing Extremism"; while claiming that armed activity by the "Left Wing" extremists was noticed in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha and West Bengal.[12]

Organisation[edit | edit source]

The last General Secretary was Thippiri Tirupathi, who was appointed in September 2025 and surrendered in February 2026.[23][24][25][26] His predecessor, Nambala Keshava Rao (alias "Basavaraj") along with 27 other Naxals were killed during a gunfight with Indian security forces in Abujhmarh, Chhattisgarh on 21 May 2025.[27] Rao, in turn, took the post after Muppala Lakshmana Rao, who uses the alias "Ganapathy".[28][29] The party hierarchy consists of the Regional Bureaus, which look after two or three states each, the State Committees, the Zonal Committees, the District Committees, and the "dalams" (armed squads).[30] Communist writer Jan Myrdal noted that the CPI (Maoist) also organises events like "The Leadership Training Programme" to endure the forces of the state.[31]

Politburo[edit | edit source]

As per the communist party policies the highest decision-making body of the CPI (Maoist) is the Politburo, with thirteen or fourteen members, six of whom were killed or arrested between 2007 and 2010.[32] Shamsher Singh Sheri alias Karam Singh, who died of Cerebral Malaria-Jaundice on 30 October 2005, was a Politburo member.[33] Between 2005 and 2011, the State captured several Politburo members of the party, which includes – Sushil Roy alias "Som", Narayan Sanyal alias "N. Prasad", Pramod Mishra, Amitabh Bagchi, Baccha Prasad Singh, Anukul Chandra Naskar[34] and Akhilesh Yadav. Arvind Ji alias "Deo Kumar Singh", died in heart attack on 21, March 2018.[35] B. Sudhakar alias "Kiran" was another Politburo member of CPI (Maoist), but he surrendered in 2019.[36] Akkiraju Haragopal alias "Ramakrishna" died in October 2021 due to illness.[37] Katakam Sudarshan, alias Anand,[38] was a prominent Politburo member until his death in 2023.[39] Ashutosh Tudu[32] and Anuj Thakur[40] are another two of the arrested Politburo members of the party. Among those killed, Cherukuri Rajkumar alias "Azad"[41][42][43] and Mallojula Koteswara Rao alias "Kishenji",[43][44] were two past members of the CPI (Maoist)'s Politburo. Prashant Bose alias "Kishan-da" was a member of the Politburo until his arrest. In October 2025, Top politburo member Mallujola Venugopal surrendered to Maharashtra police.[45]On 22 February 2026, the General Secretery and Politburo member Thippiri Tirupathi surrendered in Telengana.[46]

Current CPI (Maoist) Politburo Members[47]
Name Alias(es) Notes
Mupalla Laxman Rao Ganapathy Former General Secretary.[48]
Misir Besra Sagar

Central Committee[edit | edit source]

The Central Committee of the CPI (Maoist) takes command from the Politburo and passes on the information to its members, and has 32 members. During an interview in 2010, Anand told media personnels that out of the 45 members of the Central Committee of CPI (Maoist), 8 has been arrested and 22 has been killed by the agencies of the Indian government.[49] Anuradha Ghandy, who died on 12 April 2008, was an eminent member of CPI (Maoist)'s Central Committee.[50] Kadari Satyanarayan Reddy alias "Kosa", Thippiri Tirupathi alias "Devuji", Malla Raji Reddy[51] and Mallujola Venugopal alias "Bhupati" are another three cadres and Central Committee members of the party.[52] Madvi Hidma is the youngest Central Committee member of the party. As of 22 September 2011, nine of the Central Committee members were jailed, which includes – Moti Lal Soren, Vishnu, Varanasi Subramanyam, Shobha, Misir Besra, Purnendu Sekhar Mukherjee, Vijay Kumar Arya.[39][53] One more Central Committee member, Ravi Sharma, was also captured later.[54] Ginugu Narsimha Reddy alias Jampanna surrendered to police in December 2017.[55] Varkapur Chandramouli,[43] Patel Sudhakar Reddy,[43] Narmada Akka,[36] and Milind Teltumbde who were killed by armed forces. Another Central Committee member Haribhushan died due to Covid. Another CC member B.G. Krishnamoorthy alias BGK, Vijay was arrested in 2021 November along with another PLGA Savithri by Kerala ATS.[56] Another member Uday was killed in 2025 by Greyhounds in Andhra Pradesh.[57] In September 2025, Kosa was killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh.[58] and in October 2025, Mallujola Venugopal who is also a politburo member surrendered to Police in Maharashtra and another Central Committee member Pullari Prasad Rao alias Chandranna surrendered in Telegana.[58][59]. Another member and leader of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee Madvi Hidma was killed in Andhra Pradesh in November 2025.[60]. In December 2025, another Central Committee member and Senior leader Ganesh uike alias Paka Hanumanthu was killed in Odisha.[61] In January 2026, another central committee member Pathiram Manjhi alias anal da was killed in Jharkhand by CRPF.[62].On 22 February 2026, two Central Committee members Thippiri Tirupathi and Malla Raja Reddy surrendered in Telengana.[63]

Current CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Members
Name Alias(es) Notes
Mupalla Laxman Rao Ganapathy Former General Secretary, also member of Politburo. Source
Misir Besra Sagar Also Politburo member. Source

Publication division[edit | edit source]

The CPI (Maoist) has a "publication division". B. Sudhakar alias "Kiran" who was a Politburo member before his surrender used to work for this division.[36]

Military Commissions[edit | edit source]

The Central Military Commission (CMC) is the main armed body of the CPI (Maoist), and it is constructed by its Central Committee. In addition to the CMC, the party has also raised state military commissions.[64]:105,106 The CMC has been headed by Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraj, Anand and Arvind Ji.[65][66][67] Anuj Thakur is an arrested member of the CMC of the party.[40] Kishenji[68] and Chandramouli[43] were also the members of the CPI (Maoist)'s CMC.

Technical Committee[edit | edit source]

Central Technical Committee (CTC) is given the responsibility of fabricating weapons and explosives. The Technical Committee consists of few selected members having special knowledge on science and research and works under the direct supervision of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Party. Sadanala Ramakrishna, a senior Maoist leader was the Secretary of the Committee who was arrested in February 2012 in Kolkata.[69][70]

Estimated strength[edit | edit source]

The military wings of the founding organisations, the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (the military wing of the MCCI) and the People's Guerrilla Army (the military wing of the PWG), also underwent a merger. The name of the unified military organisation is the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), and it is grouped into three sections — the Basic, the Secondary and the Main squad.[18] All the PLGA members are volunteers and they do not receive any wages.[71] During his stay in the guerrilla zones, Jan Myrdal noted that the female cadres of CPI (Maoist) constituted about 40% of its PLGA, and held numerous "command positions";[72] but currently, the female members comprises 60% of the Maoist cadres,[73] and women commanders heads 20 of the 27 divisions of the guerrilla zones.[74]

P.V. Ramana, of the Observer Research Foundation in Delhi, estimates the Naxilities' current strength at 9,000–10,000 armed fighters, with access to about 6,500 firearms.[75] The analyses, as of September 2013, suggested that the estimated number of PLGA members has decreased from 10,000 − 12,000[73] to 8,000 − 9,000.[76] But, Gautam Navlakha has suggested that the PLGA has strengthened over the past few years, and has mustered 12 companies and over 25 platoons and a supply platoon in 2013 as compared to 8 companies and 13 platoons of 2008.[74] The People's Militia which is armed with bows, arrows, and machetes is and is believed to logistically assist the PLGA is estimated to be around 38,000.[77]

Medical units[edit | edit source]

The Maoists had structured "medical units" in the villages of Bastar,[78] and the CPI (Maoist) operates "mobile medical units."[64]:101 Rahul Pandita writes:

"In the field of health as well, the Maoists often fill in large gaps left by the state. Their mobile medical units cover large distances to offer primary health care to tribals.... Various training camps are held regularly on preventive measures against diseases such as diarrhoea or malaria. The grass-root doctors in the medical squads can administer vaccines, identify a number of diseases through symptoms, and treat injuries that are not severe. Some can even conduct simple blood tests to arrive at a diagnosis. This is a significant advantage in such areas."[64]:101–102

Furthermore, the CPI (Maoist)'s medical services squads also move from village to village and provides "basic medical training" to selected young tribal people which enables them to identify frequently occurring diseases through their presages so that they can also distribute vaccines to the patients.[64]:102

Frontal organisations[edit | edit source]

The frontal organisations of the party include the Radical Youth League, Rythu Coolie Sangham, Radical Students Union, Singareni Karmika Samakya, Viplava Karmika Samakhya, Porattam Kerala, Ayyankali pada Kerala, Njattuvela Kerala and All India Revolutionary Students Federation,[79] Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan,[71] and Chetna Natya Manch.[80]

Strategy[edit | edit source]

Governance tactics[edit | edit source]

The "organising principles" of the Maoists are sketched out from the Chinese Communist Revolution and the Vietnam War. The CPI (Maoist) has organised Dandakaranya into ten divisions, each comprising three area committees; and every Area Committee is composed of several Janatana Sarkars (people's governments). The party says that a Janatana Sarkar is established by the election procedure involving a group of villages, and has nine departments — agriculture, trade and industry, economic, justice, defence, health, public relations, education and culture, and jungle.[81] The Janatana Sarkar provides education up to primary level in the subjects of mathematics, social science, politics, and Hindi, in the "camp schools" using the textbooks published by the party in Gondi. They also use DVDs to educate the children in the streams of science and history.[82]

In their efforts to intimidate their political adversaries and consolidate control, the Maoists tax local villagers, extort businesses, abduct and kill "class enemies" such as government officials and police officers, and regulate the flow of aid and goods.[9] To help fill their ranks, the Maoists force each family under their domain to supply one family member, and threaten those who resist with violence.[83]

The organisation has been holding "Public Courts", which have been described as kangaroo courts,[84][85] against their opponents. These "courts" function in the areas under de facto Maoist control.[86] The Maoists have also taken care to demolish government institutions under their de facto jurisdiction.[87] They have also demolished railroad tracks and school buildings that are often used as temporary camps by security forces.[88]

Military strategies and tactics[edit | edit source]

The CPI (Maoist) rejects "engagement" with what it terms as the "prevailing bourgeois democracy" and focuses on capturing political power through protracted armed struggle based on guerrilla warfare.[89] This strategy entails building up bases in rural and remote areas and transforming them first into guerrilla zones, and then into "liberated zones", in addition to encircling cities.[18]

The military hardware used by Maoists, as indicated through a number of seizures, include RDX cable wires, gelignite sticks, detonators, country-made weapons, INSAS rifles, AK-47s, SLRs, and improvised explosive devices.[90] The Maoists condemn the accusations that they manage arms through China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.[91] On the subject, Ganapathy says, "Our weapons are mainly country-made. All the modern weapons we have are mainly seized from the government armed forces when we attack them."[91]

The CPI (Maoist)'s General Secretary says that they keep on appealing to the "lower-level personnel" in the paramilitary and police forces not to attack them, but rather "join hands with the masses" and "consciously" point their guns towards whom the Maoists view as "real enemies." They further claims that "only when the government forces come to attack us [Maoists] carrying guns do we attack them in self-defence."[64]:48–49 In Jharkhand, the police have also seized posters from various places which read, "Policemen keep away from the green hunt and try to be friends of poor. Police jawan, do not obey orders of the senior officials, instead join the people's army."[92]

Funding[edit | edit source]

Some sources claim that the funding for the Maoists comes from abductions, extortion and by setting up unofficial administrations to collect taxes in rural areas where official government appears absent.[9][93][94] Poppy cultivation is another suspected source of funding for Maoists in the Ghagra area of Gumla district in Jharkhand and in parts of Gumla, Kishanganj and Purnia districts in Bihar where security forces claim that opium fields are hidden among maize crops.[94] Reports from Debagarh district in Odisha indicate that the Maoists also support hemp cultivation to help fund their activities.[94]

Legal status[edit | edit source]

The party is regarded as a "left-wing extremist entity" and a terrorist outfit by the Indian government. Several of their members have been arrested under the now-defunct Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act.[18][95] The group is officially banned by the state governments of Odisha,[96] Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, among others. The party has protested these bans.[97] The Indian government, led by the United Progressive Alliance, banned the CPI (Maoist) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as a terrorist organisation[98] on 22 June 2009. On 22 June 2009, the central home ministry, keeping in mind the growing unlawful activities by the group, banned it under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).[99] Earlier, the union home minister, P. Chidambaram had asked the West Bengal Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, to ban the Maoists following the Lalgarh Violence.[100] Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) and all its formations and front organisations have been banned by the Government of India.[101]

Controversies[edit | edit source]

Opposition[edit | edit source]

The Party is regarded as a serious security threat by the Indian government.[102] It says it will combine improved policing with socio-economic measures to defuse grievances that fuel the Maoist cause.[83] In 2005, Chhattisgarh State sponsored an anti-Maoist movement called the Salwa Judum. The group, which the BBC alleges is "government backed",[103] an allegation rejected by the Indian government[104][105] has come under criticism for "perpetrating atrocities and abuse against women",[106] using child soldiers,[86] burning people alive,[107] and the looting of property and destruction of homes.[108] These allegations were rejected by a fact-finding commission of the National Human Rights Commission of India, appointed by the Supreme Court of India, who determined that the Salwa Judum was a spontaneous reaction by tribes against Maoist atrocities perpetrated against them.[109][110] The camps are guarded by police officers, paramilitary forces and child soldiers[83][86] empowered with the official title "special police officer" (SPO).[86][111] However, on 5 July 2011, the Supreme Court of India declared the Salwa Judum as illegal and unconstitutional. The court directed the Chhattisgarh government to recover all the firearms given to the militia along with the ammunition and accessories. It also ordered the government to investigate all instances of alleged criminal activities of Salwa Judum.[112] But, the state government did not abide by the Supreme Court's decision. In August 2013, the Supreme Court of India asked the state government to explain that "why its failure to execute the July 2011 order of disbanding the SPOs not considered as contempt of court.".[113] In March 2019, a municipal school teacher, Yogendra Meshram was killed by the Maoists in Korchi, which was vehemently protested by locals. The Maoist leadership later apologized for the killing stating it to be a mistake and that Meshram was wrongly suspected to be a police informer.[114]

International connections[edit | edit source]

The CPI (Maoist) maintains dialogue with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) who control most of Nepal in the Coordination Committee of Maoist Parties and Organisations of South Asia (CCOMPOSA), according to several intelligence sources and think tanks.[18] These links are, however, denied by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre)[115]

While under detention in June 2009, a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative indicated that the LeT and the CPI (Maoist) had attempted to co-ordinate activities in Jharkhand state.[116] But, Ganapathy has denied any links between CPI (Maoist) and LeT, stating that the allegations are "only mischievous, calculated propaganda by the police officials, bureaucrats and leaders of the reactionary political parties" to malign the Maoists' image with the aim of labeling them as terrorists in order to justify "their brutal terror campaign against Maoists and the people in the areas of armed agrarian struggle."[29] Kishenji also criticised LeT for having "wrong" and "anti-people" policies; though he said that the Maoists may consider backing up a few of their demands, if LeT will halt its "terrorist acts".[117]

Reports in 2010 indicate that the Communist Party of the Philippines, Southeast Asia's longest-lived communist insurgent group, has been reported to have engaged in training activities for guerrilla warfare with Indian Maoists.[118]

The Indian Maoists deny operational links with foreign groups, such as the Nepalese Maoists, but do claim comradeship.[119] Some members of the Indian government accept this,[120] while others argue that operational links do exist, with training coming from Sri-Lankan Maoists and small arms from China.[121] China denies any suggestion that it supports foreign Maoist rebels, citing improvements in relations between India and China, including movement towards resolving their border disputes. Maoists in Nepal, India, and the Philippines are less reticent about their shared goals.[122]

Indian Government's paramilitary offensive against the CPI (Maoist)[edit | edit source]

Main article: Operation Green Hunt

In September 2009, an all-out offensive was launched by the Government of India's paramilitary forces and the state's police forces against the CPI (Maoist) is termed by the Indian media as the "Operation Green Hunt".[123]

On 3 January 2013, government issued a statement that it is deploying 10,000 more central paramilitary personnel in Bastar, Odisha and some parts of Jharkhand.[124] On 8 June 2014, the Minister of Home Affairs officially approved the deployment of another 10,000 troops from the paramilitary forces to fight against the Maoists in Chhattisgarh.[125] The count of personnel from State Armed Police Forces involved in counter-Maoism operations in the Red corridor is estimated to number around 200,000.[76] Along with firearms, the armed forces' personnel use satellite phones, unmanned aerial vehicles and Air Force helicopters.[76]

In 2011, the Indian Army while denying its direct role in the offensive operations accepted that it has been training the paramilitary personnel to fight against the Maoists, however, the Maoists have objected to the Army's stationing in the Red corridor.[126] On 30 May 2013, the Indian Air Force's Air Chief Marshal declared that apart from the currently operating MI-17 helicopters, the Indian Force has decided to induce a unit of MI-17V5 helicopters to "provide full support to anti-Naxal operations."[127] In August 2014, the Ministry of Home Affairs had stated that 2,000 personnel from the Nagaland's Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) were deployed in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations against the Maoists in Bastar.[128]

Since the start of the operation: 2,266 Maoist militants have been killed, 10,181 have been arrested and 9,714 have surrendered.[129]

Notable attacks[edit | edit source]

Main article: Timeline of the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency
  • On 12 June 2009, at least 29 members of the Indian Police were killed[130][131] in an ambush attack by Maoist rebels in Rajnandgaon, 90 km (56 mi) from Raipur (India's Chhattisgarh state).[132]
  • On 15 February 2010, several of the guerrilla commanders of CPI (Maoist), all of whom are believed to be female, killed 24 personnel of the Eastern Frontier Rifles at Silda in West Bengal.[64]:97–98 The attack was reportedly directed by Kishenji,[133] and after the Maoist raid at the paramilitary camp, Kishenji addressed the news media saying, "We have not started it (violence) and we will not stop it first. Let us see whether the central government is honest about a solution and we will definitely co–operate.... This is the answer to Chidambaram's 'Operation Green Hunt' and unless the Centre stop this inhuman military operation, we are going to answer the Centre this way only."[134]
  • On 6 April 2010, the Maoists ambushed and killed 76 paramilitary personnel who fell into a trap laid by the lurking Maoists. The CPI (Maoist) described the incident as a "direct consequence" of the Operation Green Hunt stating that "We have been surrounded by paramilitary battalions. They are setting fire to the forests and making adivasis (tribals) flee. In this situation, we have no other alternative (but to stage attacks)."[135]
  • On 25 May 2013, the CPI (Maoist) ambushed a convoy of the Indian National Congress at Bastar, and killed 27 people including Mahendra Karma, Nand Kumar Patel and Vidya Charan Shukla.[136] While regretting the death of a few "innocent Congress [INC] functionaries" during the incident, they hold the Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress' policies which they view as "anti-people" in nature, as directly responsible for the attack.[137] Later, 14 Maoist who had allegedly participated in the ambush[138] were gunned down in Odisha by the Special Operation Group with the assistance of Border Security Force.[139]
  • On 3 April 2021, twenty-two soldiers were killed in a Maoist ambush on the border of Bijapur and Sukma districts in southern Chhattisgarh. Those killed included 14 Chhattisgarh policemen and seven jawans of the CRPF, including six members of its elite CoBRA unit, specially trained to take on Maoist guerillas.[140]
  • On 4 January 2022, CPI (Maoist) attacked former BJP MLA of Manoharpur Gurucharan Nayak in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. Nayak escaped but the Maoists slit the throat of his two bodyguards, snatched their AK-47 rifles and fled. The two bodyguards died in the incident.[141]
  • On April 26, 2023, 10 policemen and their driver belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Chhattisgarh Police were killed in an IED attack by Maoists in Dantewada District, Chhattisgarh. The forces were attacked while returning from counterinsurgency operations in the area.[142]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Myrdal, Jan (5 May 2014). "Appendix–III". Red Star Over India: As the Wretched of the Earth are Rising: Impressions, Reflections, and Preliminary Inferences. Kolkata: Archana Das and Subrata Das on behalf of Setu Prakashani. pp. 183–184. ISBN 978-93-80677-20-0. OCLC 858528997. The Dandakaranya Janathana Circars of today are the basis for the Indian People's Democratic Federal Republic of tomorrow.... In any social revolution, including the Indian New Democratic Revolution, the most crucial, central and main question is that of (state) power. Our party is striving to establish area wise power by mobilising people politically into the protracted people's war, building the people's army (in the form of guerrilla army) and destroying the state machinery of the enemy–ruling classes. It is a part of this revolutionary process that it is establishing Janathana Sarkars in Dandakaranya.
  2. ↑ "CPI (Maoist) included in list of terrorist organizations to avoid any ambiguity". Press Information Bureau.
  3. ↑ Deepak Kapoor (2009). South Asia Defence And Strategic Year Book. Pentagon Press. pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-81-8274-399-1.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dahat, Pavan (10 September 2017). "CPI (Maoist) commander Hidma promoted to Central Committee". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  5. ↑ "Maoism: An Exercise in Anarchism". CPIM. October–December 2005. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  6. ↑ "Maoists fourth deadliest terror outfit after Taliban, IS, Boko Haram: Report". The Times of India. 16 September 2016.
  7. ↑ "Most terrorists in India are Hindus, the ones whom we have conveniently labelled 'Maoist' instead of 'Hindu'". 4 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Patel, Aakar (6 April 2015). "Most extremists in India are not Muslim – they are Hindu".
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Robinson, Simon (29 May 2008). "India's Secret War". Time. Archived from the original on 2 June 2008.
  10. ↑ "India's Naxalite Rebellion: The red heart of India". The Economist. London. 5 November 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  11. ↑ Lancaster, John (13 May 2006). "India's Ragtag Band of Maoists Takes Root Among Rural Poor". Washington Post. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "India: Maoist Conflict Map 2014". New Delhi: SATP. 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Time has come for ruthless, final blow to finish Maoists by 2026: Amit Shah says in Chhattisgarh". Times of India. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  14. ↑ "Top Maoist leader with ₹1 crore bounty likely killed in Chhattisgarh encounter". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  15. ↑ "Hail the Formation of Communist Party of India (Maoist)", a 32-page pamphlet by Redical Publications, published in Kolkata in 2004. (see: pp. 2-4 & materials between pp. 12-14)
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