Maoist movement in India in its last leg, says Telangana Security Advisor

Hyderabad: The Maoist movement in India, particularly in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has largely come to an end due to five major factors, including the shift in youth aspirations towards careers, effective state-level policing, ideological differences, government-led development activities and the declining influence of China on Indian Maoism, Telangana State Security Advisor B. Shivadhar Reddy said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the launch of ‘India’s Maoists: Glimpses into Red Insurgency’ authored by Dr. PV Ramana here on Wednesday, Reddy said the author had presented multiple perspectives on Maoism at a time when reporting on the movement largely reflected one side of the narrative. 

“The CPI (Maoist) is in its last leg in the country, and the book would be a great help for research on extremism in India,” he said.

Explaining the background of his book, Ramana said he had visited several Maoist-affected regions across the country during his research and found that every individual and family he encountered had a story to tell. The book covers various aspects of the movement, including its organisation, finances and women cadres.

Ramana also expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding Maoist weapons stockpiles in several states. He cautioned that weapons remaining hidden could potentially be recovered and used to trigger another movement.

Former Andhra Pradesh DGP Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said the united AP police had initiated the fight against Maoism, which had now been brought to a major turning point through the efforts of the AP and Telangana police forces. 

He suggested newly recruited Assistant Superintendents of Police, Deputy Superintendents of Police and Reserve Sub-Inspectors should undergo training with the Greyhounds force to gain practical experience in crisis management and counter-insurgency operations.

K Sreenivas Reddy, Editor of ‘Telangana Today’, cautioned against complacency despite claims that the country had overcome the Maoist problem. He said exploitation at various levels of society continued and could create conditions for the movement’s resurgence.

“Exploitation at various levels in society has not changed as yet. In such a scenario, there is a possibility that the movement could re-emerge. We cannot be complacent and need a deeper understanding of the problem and permanent solution,” he explained.

DGP (Law & Order) Mahesh M Bhagwat and Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar were among other senior and retired police officers present.