In the wake of relentless assaults by security forces in their once-impregnable bastions of Chhattisgarh, at least 11 top-tier leaders of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) have managed to elude capture.
Sources within intelligence agencies suggest that these high-value targets, all part of the CPI(Maoist)'s politburo and central committee, have sought refuge in the dense forests and urban hideouts across West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
The central intelligence agencies, cognizant of the Maoists' historical presence in these states, have promptly issued alerts to the respective governments and law enforcement bodies. A seamless flow of intelligence between state agencies has also been initiated to thwart potential threats.
"At least 11 high-profile Maoists, including politburo and central committee members, are on the run following an extensive crackdown in Chhattisgarh," disclosed a senior official from a central agency.
Also read: Punitive action, erosion of support silencing Maoist
The recent operations by security forces in regions such as Indravati, Sukma, and Dantewada have dealt a severe blow to the Maoists, neutralising both senior leaders and foot soldiers. Once deemed impenetrable, these areas were brought under control through a strategic blend of air surveillance, engaging Israeli drones, and ground-level combat tactics.
The intensified operations are part of a larger strategy tied to the March 2026 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eradicate Naxalism from India. This year alone, security forces have eliminated 81 Maoists in Chhattisgarh, adding to the 219 neutralized in 2024.
Adding a layer of gravity to the situation, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval paid a covert visit to Kolkata last month. During the two-day trip, Doval held discussions on the potential infiltration of fugitive Maoists into West Bengal, along with the escalating activities of the ISI in Bangladesh and the growing threat of terrorists exploiting northeastern states and West Bengal as corridors into India.
According to Intelligence Bureau (IB) sources, the security apparatus is currently pursuing several high-ranking Maoist leaders, including Mallojula Venugopal Rao (alias Sonu), Thippiri Tirupathi (alias Devji), Nirmala, Madvi Hidma, Katakam Sudarshan, among others. Each of these leaders carries a bounty of ₹1 crore on their heads. Venugopal, notably, is the brother of the former politburo member Kishanji, who was killed in an encounter in Jhargram, West Bengal, in October 2011.
An intelligence officer revealed that there are “thousands of Maoist sympathisers” in the western part of Bengal. “Our information suggests that the rebels have made significant inroads into the Indo-Bangla bordering districts such as Nadia and Murshidabad. In addition to these, alerts have been issued to law enforcement in Jhargram, West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, and Birbhum — areas that were once Maoist strongholds,” the officer added.
Despite their severe setbacks in Chhattisgarh, intelligence assessments suggest that the Maoists are unlikely to engage in immediate subversive activities in West Bengal or Jharkhand. Instead, they appear to be focusing on regrouping and rebuilding their organization. “Our intelligence indicates that the fugitives have already initiated meetings with their sympathisers in urban locales and remote forest villages,” the officer disclosed.
The disappearance of these senior leaders poses a significant concern for security agencies. With the looming threat of a potential resurgence, the authorities remain on high alert, closely monitoring the situation to prevent the Maoists from re-establishing their influence in these volatile regions.
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