Major Maoist Bloc Announces Decision to Lay Down Arms
In a development that could significantly alter the security dynamics in central India, the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zonal Committee of the CPI (Maoist) has declared its intention for its cadres to surrender and join the mainstream on January 1, 2026. This decision comes months ahead of the March 31, 2026, deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the elimination of left-wing extremism in the country.
An Appeal for Peace and Rehabilitation
Through a letter and audio messages circulated within local communities, the committee's spokesperson, Ananth, communicated the resolution to advance their surrender plan. The committee has called for a 'collectative laying down of arms' and has formally requested the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to halt all security operations until the surrender date. Ananth specifically urged that security forces refrain from 'arrests or encounters' to allow cadres to assemble and surrender without incident.
The group stated its preference to surrender to the chief minister or home minister of the state that promises the most robust and comprehensive rehabilitation process. In preparation for this transition, the committee announced it would not observe the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) week this year and will utilize an open radio frequency for internal communication among its cadres.
A Contrasting Stance: Condemnation from Dandakaranya
While the MMC zone prepares for peace, a starkly different narrative emerges from another faction. The Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee of the CPI (Maoist) has vehemently condemned what it describes as 'fake encounters' in the Maredumilli forest of Andhra Pradesh on November 18-19. The committee claims these operations resulted in the deaths of 13 party cadres, including a central committee member, Madvi Hidma.
In protest, the Dandakaranya unit has called for a bandh across Chhattisgarh and the Dandakaranya region on November 30. It has demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident and alleged that around 50 cadres, including politburo member Thippiri Tirupati (alias Devji), were detained and not presented before a court. Accusing central and state governments of 'repression and corporate-backed violence,' the committee has appealed to human rights organizations and civil society to protest the alleged killings.
A Defining Schism in the Maoist Movement
The simultaneous release of these two statements—one signaling a historic surrender and the other calling for intensified resistance—highlights a critical and unusual divergence within the CPI (Maoist) party. Senior observers point out that this clear split in approach between the MMC bloc and the Dandakaranya unit represents a pivotal moment that could redefine the future of the Maoist presence in India's red corridor. The path chosen by these factions will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of counter-insurgency efforts and peace initiatives in the region.
