India's Fight Against Maoism: Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra Declare Maoist-Free Status Ahead of 2026 Deadline

Intelligence reports confirm only a few senior Maoist leaders remain to be targeted in the final phase of operations.

In a historic achievement, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have officially declared themselves free of Maoist influence, marking a decisive turning point in India's battle against left-wing extremism. This declaration, coming months ahead of schedule, represents the most significant breakthrough in the country's decades-long struggle against the Maoist insurgency that once controlled vast swathes of central India.

The removal of these two critical Red Corridor states from the list of Maoist-affected regions signals that the complete elimination of Red Terror is now within reach. The once-feared Maoist presence that dominated the forests of Balaghat, Gadchiroli, and neighboring areas for decades has rapidly diminished. Security officials are celebrating this development as the most substantial progress toward permanently ending Maoism in India, well ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline.

This milestone was foreshadowed during an NDTV interview on November 1 in Patna, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded to questions from NDTV Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal about the government's commitment to eradicate Maoism. Shah highlighted the dramatic shrinking of the Red Corridor, noting that Maoist influence had contracted from approximately 130 districts to merely 11, with significant activity limited to just three districts.

Shah emphasized that numerous Maoists have been neutralized, captured, or have voluntarily surrendered, effectively breaking the backbone of the violent movement. He asserted that remaining elements would be eliminated before 2026. This commitment quickly materialized into concrete results, most notably with security forces neutralizing Maoist commander Madvi Hidma shortly before the November 30 deadline, an operation widely recognized as a watershed moment in the fight against Maoism.

The early declaration of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra as Maoist-free territories, coupled with high-profile surrenders and the contraction of the MMC zone (the junction where Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh meet), collectively demonstrate the rapid collapse of the Red Corridor. What was once considered India's greatest internal security challenge is now approaching its final chapter, as intensified security operations leave remaining Maoist fighters with only two options: surrender or face decisive action.

When Amit Shah publicly announced in 2024 that Red Terror would be eliminated by March 31, 2026, many dismissed it as merely political rhetoric. However, persistent operations ensured this timeline became reality. Nearly four months ahead of schedule, two Red Corridor states have declared themselves free of Maoist influence. Areas where establishing police presence once invited violent retaliation are now witnessing unimpeded development activities.

NDTV was the first media outlet to report that following the surrender of senior Maoists like Ramdher and Anant, only six Maoists remained active in the MMC zone, with Chhota Deepak being the most significant. Shortly thereafter, Deepak Uike and Rohit surrendered in Balaghat, further reducing the Maoist presence.

In just 42 days, 42 Naxalites with combined bounties totaling Rs 7.75 crore surrendered in the MMC zone. These were once powerful cadres who had established parallel governance systems in remote forested regions, directly challenging state authority.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance from Home Minister Amit Shah for achieving Maoist-free status ahead of schedule. He acknowledged the determination to eliminate Maoism and honored the courage and sacrifices of police personnel, noting that the Balaghat Police ceremonially concluded their mission on December 11.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed similar sentiments, highlighting the effective inter-state coordination in dismantling remaining Maoist networks.

While Chhattisgarh still faces some challenges, the situation there has transformed dramatically. At one point, more than 12,000 armed Maoists operated throughout Bastar. Today, only isolated squads remain, under constant pressure from security forces.

Intelligence sources indicate that only a few senior Maoist leaders remain on the priority target list. These include Battalion No. 1 commander Barse Deva (alias Sainath), a 45-year-old from Sukma with a Rs 25 lakh bounty, believed to lead 100-150 armed fighters. The once-formidable Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, which previously included approximately 30 notorious commanders, has been reduced to a few aging leaders such as Paparao (alias Chandranna/Mangu Dada) and Vasudev Rao from Telangana.

The Maoist Central Committee, formerly comprising 21 members, now has only four leaders who present any significant challenge: Misir Besra (alias Sagar), Mallaraji Reddy (alias Sangram), Thipri Tirupati (alias Kuma Dada/Devji), and Hanumanthu (alias Ganesh Uikey). Many are elderly or ill, with several believed to be living anonymously in the forests of Odisha and Jharkhand.

Security forces have issued an unambiguous message. Bastar IG Sundarraj P stated that the complete elimination of Maoism would be achieved very soon. He emphasized that remaining cadres have only one viable option: surrender their weapons and reintegrate into mainstream society or face the consequences of intensified security operations.

For Chhattisgarh, ending Red Terror is particularly significant. In the 25 years since the state's formation, it has suffered enormously from Maoist violence. Official statistics through October 2025 reveal that over this period, there have been 3,404 encounters resulting in 1,541 Maoists killed, 1,315 security personnel killed in action, and 1,817 civilian casualties. During this time, 7,826 Maoists surrendered, and 13,416 were arrested.

The Red Corridor, once India's most pressing internal security challenge, is now on the verge of becoming a historical footnote. The violence has largely subsided, commanders have been neutralized or have surrendered, and the forests are beginning to witness transformation from theaters of conflict to areas of peace and development.