In a dramatic development, the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) has declared a temporary suspension of its armed struggle for a month and expressed readiness to engage in conditional peace talks with the central government.
The Maoists, in their statement, appealed to the government to convey its decision on the issue through the internet and government news channels. The press note also included a Facebook and email ID for senior cadres lodged in jails across the country to share their views.
Speaking to TOI, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma said the authenticity of the letter needed to be verified. He pointed out that it was the first time a Maoist note carried a picture of the spokesperson, had a different writing style, and even mentioned an email ID. Sharma described the use of the term “ceasefire” as highly objectionable, stating there was no war that required such a term. He added that in a democracy there could not be “conditional” talks and noted that Maoists had once again put forward conditions as in the past. He said that after verifying the press note, the government would deliberate internally before making a decision.
Sharma further underlined that although the ceasefire letter was dated August 15, Maoists had since then killed villagers and planted IEDs that injured security personnel. He reiterated that the best option for Maoists would be to surrender, avail themselves of the rehabilitation policy, and contribute to nation-building even by participating in political life if they so wished.
Last year, Minister Sharma had initiated an appeal for peace talks in an exclusive interview with TOI, inviting the Maoists to a dialogue through a platform of their choice, whether by video call, personal meeting, or phone conversation.
The latest Maoist statement, issued by central committee spokesperson ‘Abhay’ and dated 15 August 2025, carried a clarification that its release was delayed due to certain reasons. It was circulated on Tuesday in the insurgency-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. While in April this year the Maoists had spoken of a ceasefire and peace talks under conducive conditions, this marks the first time the outfit has formally declared a ceasefire at the national level.
The two-page statement signed by Abhay said the organisation would now focus on “mass struggles” to address the problems of India’s oppressed sections instead of continuing armed confrontation. The Maoists claimed that since late March 2025 they had been making “serious and sincere efforts” to initiate peace talks. On 10 May 2025, then general secretary Basavaraju who was killed later that month in an encounter in Bastar, had proposed a one-month ceasefire to enable senior leaders to deliberate on laying down arms.
However, the note said the government had not responded positively and instead intensified “encirclement and elimination” operations launched since January 2024, with thousands of armed police deployed in Maoist strongholds.
The Maoists cited the deadly encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Marh region on 21 May 2025, in which Basavaraju, along with 28 central committee members and security staff, was killed. They said the present peace initiative was a continuation of the process begun by their slain leader.
Declaring their changed stance, the Maoists said they would now align “shoulder to shoulder with all political parties and protesting organisations” on public issues. “We have decided to lay down arms and declare a temporary ceasefire,” the release stated, adding that the party was prepared to hold talks with the Union Home Minister or his designated representatives.
The CPI (Maoist) explained that its decision was influenced by changing national and global conditions, along with repeated appeals by top government leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to join the mainstream.
Conditions for Dialogue
The Maoists asked the government to formally announce a one-month ceasefire and suspend combing operations so that they could consult cadres across different states and those imprisoned. They also said they were ready for preliminary discussions with the government through a video call.
The statement requested that any official announcements on peace talks be broadcast via government radio and television channels so that cadres in remote forested areas without internet access could be informed.
Appeals to the Public
The Maoists appealed to labourers, Dalits, Adivasis, women, minorities, intellectuals, human rights defenders, writers, artists, and peace committees to appreciate the “very difficult circumstances” behind their decision and extend support to the peace process.
“We hope you will wholeheartedly cooperate in taking this process forward and help transform blood-soaked forests into forests of peace,” the statement read. They also shared an email address and a Facebook ID for sympathisers, supporters, and organisations to send their views.
The Maoist outfit has occasionally expressed readiness for talks in the past, in Andhra Pradesh in 2004 and West Bengal in 2010, but those efforts collapsed amid violence, conditions, and mistrust.
Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P. Sundarraj told TOI that they had taken note of the press release issued in the name of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee. He said the authenticity of the document was being verified and its contents carefully examined. He added that any decision on engaging or opening dialogue with the Maoists rested with the government, which would take an appropriate call after due consideration of the situation.
(With inputs from Times of India)
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