Decline in Maoist Violence: Governance and Security Challenges in Bastar

The Hindu - Opinion · 2 Apr 2026 · 2 min read
Prelims · Defence and security Mains · GS3 Security High relevance

The Union government's efforts have significantly reduced Maoist violence by 90% over 15 years, with 2,337 surrenders in 2025, but challenges remain in achieving positive peace and governance in Bastar.

Key points

Maoist violence has declined by 90% over the past 15 years, with 2,337 surrenders in 2025 and 633 more by March 2026, marking a significant depletion of left-wing extremist capabilities.

Bastar region in Chhattisgarh remains a residual stronghold, where security forces have enabled administrative outreach, but the challenge now shifts to 'holding' and 'building' governance structures.

Negative peace vs. positive peace: Johan Galtung's framework highlights that while direct violence has reduced (negative peace), structural issues like social justice and equity (positive peace) remain unaddressed.

Surrendered Maoist leadership, like Thippari Tirupati, demand recognition of CPI (Maoist) as a political party, akin to CPI(ML) Liberation, to continue their movement democratically.

Forest Rights Act and PESA Act implementation gaps persist, with former Maoists likely to focus on these structural issues, requiring government attention beyond infrastructure development.

[GS3-Security] The success against Maoists stems from integrated military-political strategies, but long-term stability depends on addressing root causes like displacement and extractive economy inequities.

Jantana Sarkar, the Maoists' parallel government, provided local justice in governance voids; the state must now fill this gap with equitable and dignified governance.

Way Forward: The government should consider conditional recognition of Maoist political groups, accelerate Forest Rights Act implementation, and establish robust local governance to prevent resurgence.

Key terms

Bastar

A region in Chhattisgarh historically affected by Maoist insurgency due to governance gaps, tribal marginalization, and forest rights issues. It is part of the Dandakaranya zone, a key Maoist stronghold.

Negative Peace vs. Positive Peace

Johan Galtung's concepts where negative peace is the absence of direct violence, and positive peace involves addressing structural violence (inequality, injustice). For UPSC, this frames post-conflict reconciliation and governance reforms.

Forest Rights Act (2006)

A landmark legislation recognizing tribal and forest-dwellers' rights over land and resources. Poor implementation has fueled Maoist recruitment, making it critical for GS2 (governance) and GS3 (internal security) analysis.

Maoism

A radical left-wing ideology advocating armed revolution to overthrow the state, rooted in Naxalite movements. In India, it manifests as left-wing extremism, primarily in tribal regions like Bastar, posing significant internal security challenges under Article 355.