Operation Sindoor and the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict dominate the headlines. Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the country, rapid developments are unfolding in another battle zone located in the interiors of Telangana and Chattisgarh. 'Operation Kagar' of the central and state forces -- launched to neutralise banned Maoists in the region -- seems to be yielding results for the government.
On Friday, 38 Maoist cadres laid down arms and surrendered before the Bhadradri Kothagudem district police in Telangana, citing their desire to leave the path of extremism and join mainstream life. Among those who surrendered were members of various internal divisions including platoons and revolutionary wings. Officials attributed the move to the growing appeal of the Telangana government’s 'Operation Cheyutha', a rehabilitation programme that promises cash rewards, welfare benefits and reintegration support.
With this latest batch, hundreds of Maoists have now surrendered before the Telangana police in the last few months including mid-level commanders and 'Dalam' members. Police say the exodus is not just due to incentives but also because Maoist ideology is increasingly losing traction among tribal communities.
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However, peace remains fragile. Just a day earlier, on May 8, tragedy struck in Mulugu district’s Venkatapuram forest belt where a combing operation turned deadly. A patrol team comprising of anti-Naxal Greyhounds Batallion and local police walked into a trap laid by Maoists near Pedda Gutta. Landmines were triggered from a distance which was followed by a hail of gunfire at the search party by 35–40 armed Maoists which included women cadre. Three Greyhounds commandos -- Sridhar, Pavan Kalyan and Sandeep -- lost their lives, while another officer is undergoing treatment.
While the Telangana police paid tributes to their fallen colleagues, the banned CPI (Maoist) Telangana state committee offered a six-month ceasefire in a statement. Once again, the Maoists invited the government for peace talks.
The readiness to engage in peace talks has been put forward by the Maoists multiple times in the recent past. This could be a result of Operation Kagar and heightened concentration on their activities by forces which is in line with the centre’s objective of wiping out Left extremism from the country by 2026. Civil society activists too have been pressurising the Centre to hold discussions with Maoists.
The central security forces along with the Chattisgarh Police are continuing Operation Kagar, an intensified combing mission targeting the Karregutta Hills bordering the Telangana-Chattisgarh border. In the hills long considered a Maoist bastion, the security forces have already hoisted the tricolour, installed communication towers and set up a base camp.
The offensive has pushed Maoist squads into survival mode who have been hailing politicians like former Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao, who are resonating with their demand for peace talks.
