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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Gadchiroli SP declares Maoist menace ‘almost over’

Mumbai: In a resounding statement signalling a historic shift, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal has declared the district, once the dark heart of the ‘Red Corridor,’ is on the verge of becoming completely free of the Naxal menace. The SP expressed absolute confidence in the complete eradication of the banned CPI (Maoist) presence, noting that the remaining cadres have dwindled to a mere handful. “There has been a sea change in the situation,” SP Neelotpal stated,...

Gadchiroli SP declares Maoist menace ‘almost over’

Mumbai: In a resounding statement signalling a historic shift, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal has declared the district, once the dark heart of the ‘Red Corridor,’ is on the verge of becoming completely free of the Naxal menace. The SP expressed absolute confidence in the complete eradication of the banned CPI (Maoist) presence, noting that the remaining cadres have dwindled to a mere handful. “There has been a sea change in the situation,” SP Neelotpal stated, highlighting the dramatic turnaround. He revealed that from approximately 100 Maoist cadres on record in January 2024, the number has plummeted to barely 10 individuals whose movements are now confined to a very small pocket of the Bhamragad sub-division in South Gadchiroli, near the Chhattisgarh border. “North Gadchiroli is now free of Maoism. The Maoists have to surrender and join the mainstream or face police action... there is no other option.” The SP attributes this success to a meticulously executed multi-pronged strategy encompassing intensified anti-Maoist operations, a robust Civic Action Programme, and the effective utilisation of Maharashtra’s attractive surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. The Gadchiroli Police, especially the elite C-60 commandos, have achieved significant operational milestones. In the last three years alone, they have neutralised 43 hardcore Maoists and achieved a 100 per cent success rate in operations without police casualties for nearly five years. SP Neelotpal highlighted that the security forces have aggressively moved to close the “security vacuum,” which was once an estimated 3,000 square kilometres of unpoliced territory used by Maoists for training and transit. The establishment of eight new police camps/Forward Operating Bases (FoBs) since January 2023, including in the remote Abujhmad foothills, has been crucial in securing these areas permanently. Winning Hearts, Minds The Civic Action Programme has been deemed a “game changer” by the SP. Through schemes like ‘Police Dadalora Khidaki’ and ‘Project Udaan’, the police have transformed remote outposts into service delivery centres, providing essential government services and employment opportunities. This sustained outreach has successfully countered Maoist propaganda and, most critically, resulted in zero Maoist recruitment from Gadchiroli for the last few years. Surrender Wave The state’s progressive rehabilitation policy has seen a massive influx of surrenders. “One sentiment is common among all the surrendered cadres: that the movement has ended, it has lost public support, and without public support, no movement can sustain,” the SP noted. The surrender of key figures, notably that of Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias ‘Bhupathi,’ a CPI (Maoist) Politburo member, and his wife Sangeeta, was a “landmark development” that triggered a surrender wave. Since June 2024, over 126 Maoists have surrendered. The rehabilitation program offers land, housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and employment. Surrendered cadres are receiving skill training and are successfully transitioning into normal life, with around 70 already employed in the local Lloyds plant. A District Reborn The transformation of Gadchiroli is now moving beyond security concerns. With the decline of extremism, the district is rapidly moving towards development and normalcy. The implementation of development schemes, round-the-clock electricity, water supply, mobile towers, and new infrastructure like roads and bridges is being given top priority. He concludes that the police’s focus is now shifting from an anti-Maoist offensive to routine law-and-order policing, addressing new challenges like industrialisation, theft, and traffic management. With the Maoist movement in “complete disarray” and major strongholds like the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zone collapsing, the SP is highly optimistic. Gadchiroli is not just getting rid of the Naxal menace; it is embracing its future as a developing, peaceful district, well on track to meet the central government’s goal of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Maharashtra’s Persistent Politician

Devendra Fadnavis

In Indian politics, comebacks are as rare as they are celebrated. Devendra Fadnavis, now firmly ensconced as Maharashtra’s Chief Minister for a third term (technically his second major term), has proven himself an exception. The 53-year-old has rewritten the playbook for survival and success in India’s most industrialised state. A consummate insider, Fadnavis has defied political gravity, brushing off casteist vitriol, internal rivalries and coalition quagmires. His elevation underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) evolving ethos that loyalty, competence and electoral muscle are prized over ideology and patronage.


Fadnavis’s journey to becoming a three-time Chief Minister is a narrative of remarkable milestones. He holds several records that set him apart from any of his predecessors. Notably, he is the first Deputy Chief Minister in Maharashtra’s history to have previously served as the Chief Minister and then reclaimed the top post. Additionally, he is the first non-Congress leader to achieve the distinction of being Chief Minister three times. Under his leadership, the BJP accomplished an impressive electoral feat: securing a hat-trick of more than 100 seats in successive state elections since 2014. These records underscore his undeniable imprint on Maharashtra’s political landscape.


Fadnavis’s comeback is also a symbolic victory against targeted caste-based animosity. During his political career, he has faced relentless criticism and attacks aimed at his Brahmin identity. Yet, the voters of Maharashtra have shown that they rally behind a leader who is targeted unjustly. This phenomenon reflects a broader rejection of caste-based hatred in the state’s politics, affirming that merit and leadership transcend such divisive tactics. The electorate’s support for Fadnavis highlights their faith in his vision and ability to deliver, rather than succumbing to polarizing narratives.


In his new term, Fadnavis faces the formidable challenge of steering Maharashtra through a complex set of socio-economic issues which call for urgency.


Fadnavis inherits a state grappling with economic stagnation and a battered reputation. Maharashtra, once India’s industrial crown jewel, has seen investment flows drift southward to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Perceptions of political instability during the Uddhav Thackeray-led coalition have exacerbated this trend. Fadnavis must rekindle investor confidence, expedite stalled projects, and chart a path for sustained growth in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.


Maharashtra’s farmers need sustainable solutions to recurring droughts, price volatility, and access to credit. Fadnavis must prioritize reforms that increase productivity and ensure fair remuneration.


Revitalizing Maharashtra’s industrial sector is crucial. By attracting investments and creating a business-friendly ecosystem, the state can reclaim its status as India’s industrial powerhouse. Urban and rural infrastructure development must be accelerated to cater to growing population needs. Projects like the Mumbai Metro, coastal roads, and rural connectivity will have to remain high on the agenda of the ‘Mahayuti 2.0’ under Fadnavis.


Addressing the needs of marginalized communities, ensuring healthcare access, and improving education standards will solidify social cohesion and lastly, Maharashtra’s fiscal health requires prudent management. Striking a balance between welfare spending and revenue generation will be essential for sustainable development.


Fadnavis’s leadership will be judged on how effectively he can address these challenges while maintaining Maharashtra’s economic and social stability.

The BJP’s decision to elevate Fadnavis once again is a clear message to its cadre and beyond: loyalty and merit will always be rewarded. Fadnavis’s unwavering commitment to the party, even during challenging times, has set an example for others within the organization. His elevation reflects the party’s belief in nurturing talent from within and empowering its leaders based on performance rather than expediency.


However, his image remains a double-edged sword. Fadnavis must ensure that he empowers the loyal workers who form the backbone of the BJP. During his first stint as Chief Minister, he was often criticized for being disconnected from the party’s grassroots cadre. This term presents an opportunity for him to rectify that perception and build stronger ties with the party workers. While he has outmanoeuvred rivals, his alliances with defectors and powerbrokers have drawn criticism. This time, with no immediate challengers within the BJP, Fadnavis must focus on reshaping his legacy. Steering clear of opportunistic associations and empowering grassroots workers will be crucial to avoiding the missteps of his earlier tenure.


In a state where Sharad Pawar looms large as a political adversary, Fadnavis must remain vigilant. The NCP (SP) patriarch, renowned for his tactical nous, will exploit any fissures within the Mahayuti coalition.


Fadnavis’s political story has always been one of persistence over privilege. His rise from the municipal corridors of Nagpur to the chief minister’s office in Mumbai has been marked by resilience. Today, Maharashtra’s voters demand not just political resilience but a Chief Minister capable of restoring the state’s pre-eminence on the national stage. Whether Fadnavis can rise to the occasion will define not just his career but also the BJP’s fortunes in the years to come.


Fadnavis, ever the pragmatist, seems acutely aware of this reality. His leadership will determine not only his political legacy but also the trajectory of Maharashtra’s development in the years to come. For Maharashtra’s latest Chief Minister, the future begins now.

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