Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a target of March 2026 to achieve a Naxal-Free Bharat. In accordance with that, we see several surrenders, reformed ex-Maoists/Naxals, and more recently the neutralising of most wanted Naxal terrorist Hidma Madvi. But looking back at the UPA years, the situation is completely the opposite.

On 5 May 2010, India’s 28th Home Minister said at JNU – “We are ready for talks; we’re not asking you to lay down your arms. We understand you won’t do that because you believe in armed struggle.”

In this report, we take a look at 8 documented instances (2009-13) where UPA leaders appeared to defend or empathize with certain Maoist concerns, based strictly on credible news and public statements.

#1 AK Antony Rejects Army Deployment in Maoist Zones – Date: 28 October 2009 

Defence Minister A.K. Antony dismissed Mamata Banerjee’s demand to deploy the Indian Army in Maoist-hit regions, asserting that armed forces must remain a “last resort” in internal security matters. Antony ruled out dialogue with Maoists unless they first renounced violence and reiterated that maintaining law and order was primarily a state responsibility. While calling Naxalism one of India’s biggest internal threats, he emphasised that developmental grievances could not justify armed rebellion.

#2 Manmohan Singh Says “Naxalites Are Our Own People” – 26 August 2010

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated the UPA government’s willingness to hold talks with Maoist groups, saying discussions could begin if they first abandoned violence. Referring to them as “our own people,” Singh stressed that the government remained committed to special development initiatives in Maoist-affected districts. His comments drew criticism for appearing overly conciliatory at a time when Maoist attacks were surging across central India, including high-profile ambushes targeting security forces.

#3 Home Minister P. Chidambaram Invites Maoists for Talks Without Laying Down Arms – 5 May 2010

At JNU, Home Minister P. Chidambaram declared the government was ready for dialogue with Maoists and acknowledged that they were unlikely to lay down arms immediately because of their belief in armed struggle. He challenged the ideological basis of violent revolution, asking for any global example where poverty or injustice was eliminated through violence.

#4 Mamata Banerjee Says Killing of Maoist Leader Azad “Not Right” – 9 August 2010

At a rally in Lalgarh, then a Maoist stronghold, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee criticised the killing of Maoist spokesperson Cherukuri Rajkumar (Azad), calling it “not right” and demanding a probe. Her statement was widely interpreted as sympathetic to Maoist leadership and caused friction within the UPA. Critics accused her of legitimising extremist elements, even as West Bengal faced intense Maoist violence.

#5 Pranab Mukherjee Defends Mamata’s Statement on Azad – 29 August 2010

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee defended Mamata Banerjee after her remarks questioning the killing of Maoist leader Azad drew political backlash. Asked if her statement was inappropriate for a senior UPA figure, Mukherjee said, “I don’t think so,” adding that she had “every right to make independent statements.” 

#6 Lalu Prasad Says Maoists “Don’t Target Common People” – 21 May 2010

RJD chief Lalu Prasad claimed Maoists do not attack ordinary civilians and only target those “spying” for police. He dismissed allegations that he supported Maoist violence and instead blamed Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for failing to control the insurgency. Lalu also questioned Chhattisgarh’s BJP government for its inability to curb Maoist activities.

#7 Digvijay Singh Calls Maoists “Misguided, Not Enemies” – 12 May 2010

Congress leader Digvijay Singh argued that Maoists should not be labelled as enemies or terrorists, describing them instead as “misguided ideologues.” While condemning their violent acts, he insisted that their motivations must be understood and addressed. He opposed any use of the Army or Air Force in anti-Maoist operations and maintained that Maoists could not be defeated militarily.

#8 Jairam Ramesh Links Tribal Displacement to Spread of Naxalism – 29 September 2013

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh attributed the rise of Naxalism to mass tribal displacement caused by the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894, which lacked rehabilitation provisions. He argued that forced land acquisition for mining, irrigation and forest projects created fertile ground for Maoist recruitment. Ramesh noted that over 88 districts were heavily affected and emphasised the need for people-centric development policies.

Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Eight Times Congress And Secular Leaders Defended Or Normalised Maoist Problem appeared first on The Commune.

The Mumbai Police on 13 October 2025 registered a First Information Report (FIR) against at least ten students of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) for allegedly organizing an event to commemorate the death anniversary of former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba. The event, which took place on the evening of October 12, also reportedly involved raising slogans in support of former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid, who are currently incarcerated in connection with the Delhi riots case.

The police action was initiated based on a formal complaint lodged by the TISS administration. A police officer confirmed the registration of the FIR, stating that the students have been charged under sections related to causing prejudice to the nation, promoting enmity between different groups, and unlawful assembly, among others.

“The students were booked and issued notices accordingly. No permission was taken from the Mumbai police for the event,” the officer stated, emphasizing the unauthorized nature of the gathering.

TISS Administration’s Stance

A senior TISS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that disciplinary action was being taken against approximately ten students involved. The official clarified that the event, organized around 9 PM on Sunday, was conducted without the knowledge or approval of the institute’s administration.

“The administration was not aware of the event as the students had not sought any permission. Additionally, it went unnoticed since it was a Sunday. It was brought to our notice on Monday through social media posts sharing photos and videos of the event, which questioned the TISS administration for allowing it. These posts also tagged the Mumbai police and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis,” the official explained.

The official further confirmed that the institute would be issuing show-cause notices to the students named in the FIR. “This is a regular process when rules and regulations of the institute are violated,” the official noted.

Social media posts from the event showed students standing near a photograph of Saibaba. The former professor, who was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for his alleged links with Naxalites, was acquitted after spending nearly a decade in prison. He passed away in Hyderabad on October 12 last year.

Historical Context: Previous Allegations Involving TISS

This incident is not the first time TISS has been linked to allegations involving Naxalite activities. In 2018, as per an India Today report, the Maharashtra Police had claimed that accused activist Mahesh Raut, an alumnus of TISS, had taken students from the institute to meet underground Maoist leaders in forest areas.

According to a senior police officer who spoke to India Today in September 2018, Mahesh Raut had allegedly arranged and accompanied TISS students to forest areas in 2017 to meet absconding Naxalites, including Comrade Milind Teltumbde, Ritu Goswami, Manglu, Dipu, and Kisan alias Prashant Bose. The purpose was allegedly to train these students.

The investigative officer of the case, ACP Shivaji Raut, had cited voluminous electronic data seized from the accused, which was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Mumbai for analysis. The police had also alleged that funds amounting to ₹5 lakh with Mahesh Raut and ₹15 lakh with another accused, Surendra Gadling, were meant to be distributed among lower-rung CPI (Maoist) cadres to “spread hatred and instigate enmity in minority groups.”

At that time, all five accused in the case were under house arrest in four different states, and the Supreme Court was set to hear arguments regarding their arrest warrants.

(Source: Indian Express)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Mumbai Police Book TISS Students For Maoist-Linked GN Saibaba Death Anniversary; Rekindles 2017 Incident Of Taking Students To Naxal Training Camps In Forest appeared first on The Commune.

Political killings are not new in India. When the world was reeling from the shock of Charlie Kirk’s assassination in the US a few days ago, the reactions from the leftists was extreme – they were rejoicing his death. Back in India, the leftist “liberals” also were hoping something similar would happen to conservative voices from the non-left side of the spectrum.

Far from the truth, one must note that killings caused by the left is much more than what is propagated as “right wing extremism”.

The Commune also did an analysis of how radical Islamist terrorists, and the radical left ‘liberals’ are pretty much similar in many ways, especially when it comes to violence.

In this article, we will take a look at the political killings carried out by the left – Communists, Maoists against the members of BJP and RSS.

Maoist Insurgency & Related Political Killings

Over the past 75 years India’s Maoist/Naxalite insurgency has sporadically targeted local politicians and party activists, especially in tribal “red corridor” regions.

The Maoist (Naxalite) insurgency in India traces its roots to a 1967 peasant revolt in Naxalbari, West Bengal. Inspired by Chinese Maoism, the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) (Charu Majumdar faction) waged guerrilla war against landlords and the state.

Over decades this splintered into numerous groups; in 2004 the People’s War Group (Telangana) and Maoist Communist Centre (Bihar) merged to form the CPI (Maoist). The party’s stated goal is to overthrow the Indian state via “protracted people’s
war”.

In its insurgency strategy, the Maoist armed wing (PLGA) deliberately targets symbols of state and “class enemies.” Official Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) commentary notes that Maoists aim to “create a vacuum at the grassroots level” by killing “lower-level government officials, police personnel, workers of mainstream political parties and the people’s representatives of the Panchayati Raj system.”

In practice, this has meant systematic ambushes of village officials, elected sarpanches, schoolteachers, and local party cadres whom Maoists label as informers or oppressors. For example, the 2013 Darbha attack was explicitly attributed to
the Maoists’ “Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign” against ruling-party leaders.

Regional and socio-economic context play a major role. Maoism remains strongest in India’s impoverished, tribal-majority “Red Corridor” (see hotspots below). Long-standing grievances over land displacement, mining, forest rights and underdevelopment fuel support among the rural poor. Battlegrounds like Bastar
(Chhattisgarh-Odisha-Telangana border) are rich in minerals (bauxite, coal, iron) and have seen fierce fights between tribal communities, insurgents, and security forces.

An Al Jazeera report (May 2025) described the Bastar/Karrigutta hills as a “warzone” with 40,000 security personnel deployed to counter 27,000 Maoist fighters. Official figures cited 11,000+ total deaths of civilians and security forces in Maoist conflicts from 2000–2024 (many tribals among them).

Despite government offensives, new Maoist recruits exploit the region’s gaps. The Maoists frame their struggle as defending Adivasi land from “exploitation” and neglect. For instance, the 2018 Araku killings occurred amid local protests over a proposed bauxite mining lease.

In West Bengal’s jungle tribal districts (Bankura, Purulia), the uprising is remembered in folklore but today is relatively dormant. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have seen only sporadic Maoist cells, with few attacks on mainstream politicians (though Kerala has experienced violent clashes between rival trade-union communists, e.g. the 2012 murder of dissident MPML leader T.P. Chandrasekharan by CPI(M) cadres).

Geographic Hotspots and Patterns

Left-wing militancy has been concentrated in these key states:

Chhattisgarh (Bastar region) – A longstanding Maoist stronghold. Central Bastar (Bijapur, Sukma, Narayanpur, Kanker districts) has seen repeated attacks on village leaders and security forces. The years 2023-2024 showed a spike in assaults on BJP-affiliated sarpanches and district officials. Bastar’s dense forests and poor road networks make it a favorite guerrilla base, and its tribal populace has been deeply affected by both insurgency and counterinsurgency.

Andhra Pradesh/Telangana – Historically the cradle of modern Naxalism (Telangana armed struggle in the late 1940s, and Naxalbari followers from AP). The 1980s–2000s saw heavy Maoist
activity in the Telangana and Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) triangle. High-profile victims include two AP state legislators (above) and numerous local workers. Maoists here frequently target officials seen as collaborators with state security (for example, Madhava Reddy as former state Home Minister). The Araku hills (AP–Odisha border) remain a flashpoint, especially around mining rights, as seen in the 2018 murders.

Jharkhand/Bihar – Dense forests in Jharkhand (e.g. Giridih, Latehar, Gumla) and adjacent Bihar villages have long Maoist presence. Party cadres (often CPI(ML) Liberation or regional leaders) have occasionally been slain. Aside from the 2005 Singh killing, more recent years saw Maoist ambushes on tribal assemblies. The police have recounted dozens of Maoist-planned attacks, often blunting them through intelligence.

Odisha – Malkangiri and Koraput in southwestern Odisha form part of the Bastar belt. Naxal insurgents are active (targeting police camps) but have seldom claimed prominent tribal politicians’ lives. In 2016, the CPI(M) tribal leader Ramachandra Panda was shot dead by alleged Maoists in Koraput, reflecting tensions over mining and political alignment.

West Bengal (Junglemahal) – In the 1970s–90s, Maoists emerged in tribal border areas of West Bengal (e.g. Jhargram, Purulia). However, under long-time left-wing state governments, most insurgency was crushed or co-opted. Since the 2000s, violence has declined; major incidents typically involve security ambushes, not targeted assassinations of party workers.

Kerala/Mizoram/etc. – Left extremism is negligible. Kerala’s violent episodes have been internecine communist feuds rather than Maoist insurgency.

Political Killings by Maoists/Naxalites

Let us now take a look at Maoist/Naxalite attacks on politicians.

7 March 2000 – Ghatkesar (Andhra Pradesh): A. Madhava Reddy (Telugu Desam Party leader and State Panchayat Raj Minister) was killed in a landmine blast by Naxalites of the outlawed People’s War Group near Hyderabad. He was on a campaign tour when the mine detonated; PWG claimed
responsibility as he was known for hardline policing.

29 December 2001 – Maddimadugu, Mahbubnagar (Andhra Pradesh): Ragya Naik (INC MLA, Devarakonda constituency) was ambushed and shot dead by four Naxalites while visiting a temple
festival. Police identified the gunmen as members of the PWG’s Amrabad guerrilla unit. This was the first known Maoist attack on a sitting Tribal MLA.

15 January 2005 – Durgi Dhabaiya, Giridih (Jharkhand): Mahendra Prasad Singh, the lone CPI(Marxist–Leninist) (Liberation) MLA in Jharkhand, was shot and throat‑slit by three CPI (Maoist) cadres after a public meeting. Witnesses reported ~100 Maoists surrounded the venue. The killing shocked the region as Singh had served three terms (since 1990) and was a tribal rights advocate.

25 May 2013 – Darbha Valley, Sukma (Chhattisgarh): In a major ambush on Congress’s “Parivartan Yatra” convoy, 26–27 people died, including veteran Congress leaders Mahendra Karma
(Chhattisgarh LoP and former Home Minister) and Nand Kumar Patel (state Home Minister). The CPI (Maoist) claimed responsibility, citing a “Counter-Offensive” campaign. Vidya Charan Shukla (former Union Minister) died later from injuries. This high-profile attack underscored Maoist hostility
to anti-insurgency politicians.

23 September 2018 – Dumbriguda, Araku (Andhra Pradesh): TDP MLAs Kidari Sarveswara Rao (then-Araku Valley MLA) and ex-MLA S. Siveri Soma were shot dead by a 40–50 member Maoist team. The assassins reportedly ambushed them while they were negotiating over a tribal bauxite mining issue. Both victims were former Congress members turned TDP, the Andhra government later noted Maoist opposition to new mining contracts in the tribal area.

4 January 2022 – West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand

Former BJP MLA Gurucharan Nayak from Manoharpur constituency was attacked on 4 January 2022. Nayak escaped unhurt, but two of his police bodyguards were killed – Shankar Nayak and Thakur Hembrom had their throats slit by Maoists. Around 100 Maoists belonging to the armed squad of commander Mocchu mixed in the crowd at a football prize distribution ceremony and attacked as Nayak was leaving. They also looted AK-47 and INSAS rifles.

BJP Leaders Killed (2023)

According to documented cases, 7 BJP leaders were killed by Maoists in 2023 in Chhattisgarh alone:

1. Ratan Dubey – BJP district vice-president, Narayanpur (4 November 2023)
2. Birju Taram – BJP worker, Ambagarh Chowki (20 October 2023)
3. Kaka Arjun – BJP leader and former sarpanch, Bijapur (21 June 2023)
4. Sagar Sahu – BJP district vice-president, Narayanpur (10 February 2023)
5. Neelkanth Kakem – BJP mandal president, beheaded in Bijapur (5 February 2023)
6. Ramdhar Alami – BJP leader and party vice president of Barsur district was killed by Maoists (11 February 2023)
7. Budhram Katram – BJP district leader, was found dead near his home in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh (16 January 2025)

5 February 2023 – Paikram village, Bijapur (Chhattisgarh): Neelkanth Kakkem (BJP mandal president, Usoor block) was dragged from his home during a wedding ceremony and hacked to death by Maoists. Over 150 Maoist guerrillas infiltrated the village; Kakkem was attacked with axes and swords in front of family. The CPI(Maoist) was blamed as revenge against local leaders cooperating with security forces.

4 November 2023 – Kaushalnagar, Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh): Ratan Dubey (BJP district vicepresident
and local Panchayat leader) was stabbed and hacked to death during a campaign rally. Police said assailants emerged from the crowd and attacked him; Dubey was the sixth BJP functionary killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh since early 2022. The incident occurred days before state elections, heightening party and public alarm.

8 March 2024 – Toynar village area, Bijapur (Chhattisgarh): Triupati Katla (BJP Janpad Panchayat
member) was ambushed and fatally hacked on a return journey from a wedding. A “small action team” of Naxals attacked him with sharp weapons, despite heavy police presence. This was noted as the first BJP leader killing in Chhattisgarh in 2024 (and eighth since 2022).

16 April 2024 – Dongargarh area, Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh): Pancham Das Manikpuri (BJP Deputy Sarpanch) was murdered by Maoists near his home. He was returning from evening prayers when insurgents attacked with swords and axes; police say it was retaliation for recent security operations. Manikpuri’s death was widely condemned as the “ninth” BJP cadre killed by Maoists in the past 14 months.

Each event above lists the date, state/district, victim and party, and alleged Maoist/Naxalite perpetrators, as reported in media accounts. (In many cases targets were local functionaries
– Panchayat members or district organizers – rather than senior politicians.)

If we were to look at the cost of human lives to Maoist, the numbers are staggering

The Naxalite-Maoist Insurgency: Left-Wing Extremism’s Deadliest Face

The Communist Party of India (Maoist), formed in 2004 from the merger of People’s War Group and Maoist Communist Centre, represents the most lethal form of left-wing violence in India.

Documented Casualties

Government data reveals the staggering human cost of left-wing extremism:

• Between 2004-2025, 8,895 people killed by Left Wing Extremists
• A conservative estimate of 15,000 lives lost in 25 years of Naxal violence
• Majority of civilian victims are tribals, often labeled as “police informers” before being brutally tortured and killed
• The tribal and economically underprivileged sections whose cause Maoists claim to espouse have been the biggest victims

Major Naxalite Attacks

The Naxalite movement has perpetrated numerous large-scale attacks:

• Dantewada Attack (2010): 76 CRPF personnel killed in ambush
• Dantewada Bus Bombing (2010): 31-44 civilians killed including Special Police Officers
• Jehanabad Jail Break (2005): Over 1,000 Maoist insurgents attacked prison, freeing 300+ inmates
• Sukma Attack (2017): 26 CRPF personnel killed in convoy ambush
• Sukma-Bijapur Attack (2021): 22 security personnel killed in coordinated assault

The Left bastions, i.e., Kerala and West Bengal have a very long running history of such political killings. Here is a list:

Kerala: RSS/BJP Workers Killed by Communists (1947-2025)

The Pioneer Phase (1969-1974): Foundation of Violence

The systematic targeting of RSS workers in Kerala began in 1969, marking the start of what would become decades of political violence.

Vadikkal Ramakrishnan (1969)

Ramakrishnan was an RSS worker and sweets maker in Thalasserry. His murder was the first documented RSS killing in Kerala, allegedly carried out by local CPI(M) workers led by young Pinarayi Vijayan (current Kerala CM) and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan (former state secretary). This set the precedent for systematic targeting of RSS workers. As per records, no prosecutions followed.

Subsequent 1969 Killings

Sreedharan Nair: RSS worker killed in Ponkunnam, Kottayam, one month after Ramakrishnan
Ramakrishnan (Palakkad): Third RSS worker killed in the same year

1970

11 January 1970 – Veliyathunadu Chandran: Chandran was a senior RSS worker and former Pracharak in Parur, Ernakulam District. His murder was significant because it was a targeted killing of senior organizational leader.

Organizational Leaders Targeted (1973-1974)

Sankranarayanan (1973): Mandal Karyavah killed in Nallenkara, Thrissur
Sudheendran (1974): RSS Mandal Karyavah killed in Kochi

The Post-Emergency Escalation (1978 onwards)

The violence intensified after the Emergency period, as documented by regional sources:

Strategic Targeting Pattern: CPI(M) began systematically targeting RSS workers who had gained prominence during Emergency resistance, particularly those who had switched from CPI(M) to RSS.

1980, Kannur, Kerala: ABVP youth district leader Gangadharan was murdered at his office on his first day in a government job. A staff member informed the CPI(M) activists, who attacked and killed him while he was seated.

25 May 1996, Kannur, Kerala: RSS propagandist and BJP district secretary Panniyannoor Chandran was brutally attacked and killed with deadly weapons while returning from Thalassery railway station with his wife. The attack was carried out by CPI(M) activists.

Contemporary Documented Cases (2000-2025)

2002: Meloor Double Murder: The victims, CK Sujeesh and P Sunil (RSS workers), were hacked to death by CPI(M) cadres. Supreme Court upheld life imprisonment for 5 CPI(M) members in January 2025. This is a rare case with successful prosecution to highest court.

August 2005, Kannur, Kerala: BJP worker Elambilayi Sooraj was murdered by nine CPI(M) workers. The assailants first hurled a bomb at him before hacking him to death with axes and machetes. The murder was triggered by political enmity after Sooraj left the CPI(M) to join the BJP. In 2019, the court acquitted all the accused.

October 2005, Kannur, Kerala: BJP-RSS worker Edacholi Preman (27) was attacked by CPI(M) activists while using a PCO booth in Thalassery. He underwent treatment for over a month but succumbed to his injuries on 27 November 2005. A sessions court later acquitted all eight CPI(M) accused.

22 October 2006, Thalassery, Kerala: Mohammed Fazal, a former CPI(M) worker who had joined the National Development Front (NDF), was murdered near Saidarpally. Investigations revealed he was killed for leaving the CPI(M), and a plot was devised to frame an RSS worker by dropping his towel near their house.

1 December 2006: Krishna Kumar (Biju), an RSS activist, was killed in Thiruvananthapuram, allegedly by CPI(M) supporters.

17 December 2006: BJP activist P.S. Sujith was murdered in Engandiyur, Thrissur district, by CPI(M) operatives.

20 January 2007: RSS activist Ravi was killed in Tirur by NDF members.

12 February 2007: BJP/BMS activist Shaju (30) was killed in Kallettumkara, Thrissur district, by CPI(M) operatives.

5 March 2007: PP Valsaraj Kurup (37) was murdered by CPI(M) activists.

16 March 2007: RSS activist Lakshman was killed in Thanur, Malappuram district, by NDF workers.

24 April 2007: RSS Taluk Karivayak G. Chandran was murdered in Vettiyar, near Mavelikkara, by CPI(M) operatives.

16 August 2007: K. Pramod (33), an RSS/BJP activist, was killed in Thalassery, Kannur district, by CPI(M) supporters.

22 October 2007: BJP activist Sunil Kumar was killed in Kodungallur by DYFI operatives.

2 November 2007: RSS activist Vinod Kumar (35) was killed near Manalayam Junction, Chadayamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram, by NDF members.

23 December 2007: RSS Mandal Sareerik Sikshan Pramukh Vinod (25) was killed near his residence by NDF operatives.

March 2008, Kuthuparamba, Kerala: Mahesh (32) was killed by a bomb thrown near a bus stop in Chitriparamba town. The attack, which nearly severed his head, was carried out by 11 CPI(M) workers. The provocation was that Mahesh had left the CPI(M) to join the BJP. In 2018, all 11 convicts were sentenced to life imprisonment.

March 2008, Kannur, Kerala: K.V. Surendran (65), a BJP worker, was brutally murdered in Illathuthazha. The incident was attributed to CPI(M) activists, adding to the long history of political violence in Kannur district.

March 2008: RSS activists Nekhil and Sathyan were killed in Thalassery, Kannur, by CPI(M) supporters.

March 2008: RSS activist Mahesh was killed in Kannur by CPI(M) operatives.

March 2008: RSS activists Suresh Babu and Surendran were killed in Kodiyeri, Kannur, by CPI(M) members.

April 2009, Kannur, Kerala: BJP-RSS worker Sajith Kumar (29) was stabbed to death by a group of 12 assailants near Mattannur while returning from a wedding. His friend, Biju, sustained serious injuries. Police registered cases against 12 CPI(M) workers in connection with the attack.

May 2010, Kannur, Kerala: BJP-RSS volunteers Vijith (30) and K.V. Shinoj (32) were brutally attacked and killed in New Mahe by a five-member CPI(M) group. The assailants first hurled crude bombs and then hacked the victims with swords and axes.

September 2014, Kathiroor, Kannur: Manoj (42, RSS leader) was killed at home. The CBI charged veteran CPI(M) leader P. Jayarajan and others, finding that Manoj was “hacked to death… by a group of CPI‑M workers”.

December 2014, Kannur, Kerala: BJP worker K.K. Rajan (52) suffered a severe head injury when CPI(M) activists pelted stones at his jeep as he returned from a party rally. He underwent treatment for over two months but succumbed to his injuries on 14 February 2015 in a Mangalore hospital.

2016: The Kannur Massacre Year

On 13 February 2016, 27-year-old RSS activist Sujith was murdered, just days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had suggested peace talks to resolve decades of hostility between the RSS and CPM.

On 11 July 2016, BJP worker CK Ramachandran (46) was murdered at his home near Payyanur. Assailants, alleged to be CPI workers, first threw crude bombs to create panic before hacking him to death. Ramachandran, affiliated with the RSS-linked labour union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, died on the way to the hospital.

On 4 September 2016, 26-year-old RSS worker Bineesh was hacked to death in Kannur district, reportedly by CPM supporters. His killing marked the fifth political murder in the district since the Left Front assumed power just three months earlier.

On 12 October 2016, Ramith an RSS supporter and BJP worker, was brutally attacked and killed by a group of eight CPI(M) activists using knives and swords in Pinarayi village. A chargesheet later named 15 local CPI(M) workers. Although nine were arrested, all were eventually released on bail. Notably, Ramith’s father, Uthaman, had also been killed in 2002, allegedly by CPM cadres.

2017: Intensification Under LDF Government

On 19 January 2017, in Kannur’s Dharmadam, a 52-year-old BJP worker named Santhosh was stabbed to death by alleged CPI(M) activists. He was attacked at Andalur and succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital. The killing was another addition to the long list of political murders in the politically volatile district of Kannur.

In May 2017, a 33-year-old RSS worker and house painter, K Biju was followed for an hour in Toyota Innova, car crashed into motorcycle, throat slit with sword in Kakkamparai village, Kannur.

In July 2017, a 34-year-old RSS basti karyavah (ward secretary) and mason, SL Rajesh received 83 injuries found on body, hands chopped off after being attacked by 12 people in Kallampally, Thiruvananthapuram. They needed a bedsheet to collect the severed limbs. 8 were arrested including 2 active CPI(M) organization members (CITU/DYFI).

In August 2017, Vipin, an RSS worker in Kodinji, Malappuram accused in conversion-related case, was stabbed to death on roadside after being released on bail.

In November 2017, in Thrissur, Kerala, BJP worker Satheesan (51) died from injuries sustained in an attack by CPI(M) activists at Kaipamangalam. The clash was triggered after a group of 20 Dalits, led by Satheesan, quit the CPI(M) and joined the BJP six months prior.

2018

In May 2018, in Kannur, Kerala, BJP-RSS worker K.P. Shamej, an auto-rickshaw driver, was attacked and later died from his injuries in Mahe. The murder occurred hours after a CPI(M) worker was killed nearby, with authorities suspecting it was a retaliatory act in the ongoing political violence. Three CPI(M) workers were arrested for direct involvement, with five other accused remaining absconding, underscoring the cycle of revenge killings between the factions in Kannur.

2022

February 2022 – Harippad, Alappuzha: Sarath Chandran (26, BJP worker) was stabbed to death after a temple festival. The BJP alleged CPI(M) workers were behind the attack. (Police attributed the murder to a criminal gang, but BJP leaders blamed CPI(M) cadres.)

April 2022 – Palakkad: RSS worker Ranjith Sreenivasan was hacked to death in Palakkad, Kerala, by members of the Popular Front of India (PFI). Police reported that four arrested individuals—Bilal, Rizwan, Sathar, and Riyaz Khan—were involved in the conspiracy, keeping watch over the murder site to avoid detection. Six more suspects remain at large. Srinivasan’s identity and RSS affiliation were confirmed the day after the killing. The murder occurred just one day after the killing of PFI leader Subair in the same district, suggesting a possible retaliatory motive in the cycle of political violence in Palakkad.

Tripura

Political violence has long marred Tripura’s history, but it has received little national attention compared to states like Bengal and Kerala. Successive incidents point to a pattern where dissent, opposition, or even intra-party rivalry has been met with bloodshed and suppression. The carefully cultivated image of a “clean” Left administration under Manik Sarkar collapses under scrutiny of these events.

Major Killings and Incidents in Tripura

2014 onwards – Attacks on BJP workers: With BJP’s rise, political violence escalated.

December 2016: Chand Mohan Tripura, a tribal BJP leader, was brutally murdered.

2017 (Ramzan): BJP district general secretary Ariful Islam’s house was vandalised; women family members abused.

2017: Reports of 25 Muslim families barred from mosques after leaving CPM for BJP.

2017: BJP worker Nanigopal Dey assaulted in Saphijala district by elements allegedly backed by CPM.

3 January 2018 – Rajnagar (Belonia), South Tripura: Amulya Malakar (60, BJP worker) was killed in his house by Gopal Malakar, identified by BJP as a CPI(M) member. BJP leaders called it the seventh BJP member killed by CPI(M) “goons” in recent months.

12 August 2024 – Sonamura (Sepahijala): Asish Paul (BJP worker) was severely beaten by alleged CPI(M) supporters during panchayat vote counting. He suffered grave head injuries and died days later in hospital. BJP officials explicitly accused CPI(M) cadres of the attack.

West Bengal: Communist Political Violence (1947-2025)

The heartland of Communism after Kerala has been under the clutches of Communist regime for several decades. Bengal even saw 34 years of uninterrupted Communist rule – under Jyoti Basu from 1977 till 2000 and then under Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee till 2011. TMC then took over the reins and things are not so different. Some of the documented cases of killings are as below:

Three Sain brothers (Congress supporters) were brutally killed by CPI(M) cadres. Naba Kumar Sain was blinded and had eyes gouged out; brothers Malay and Pranab were hacked to death. Their mother was forced to eat rice smeared with her sons’ blood. The trauma caused the mother to lose her mental balance until her death a decade later.

Marichjhapi Massacre (January 1979)

Bengali Hindu refugees from Bangladesh were killed by Left Front government forces in January 1979. It was estimated that hundreds were killed through police firing, starvation, and drowning. The victims included children, women, and elderly refugees seeking shelter. The bodies dumped in rivers and fed to crocodiles to hide evidence.

In the year 1982, 17 Ananda Marg monks (known as Anand Margis) were burned alive by CPI(M) cadres in Kolkata. The monks were doused in petrol and kerosene at three separate locations. It was a carefully planned execution to eliminate perceived threat to CPI(M)’s growth.

In July 2000, 11 landless Muslim laborers were killed by CPI(M) cadres for supporting opposition. The victims were agricultural wage workers caught in land dispute. CPI(M) initially labeled them as “dacoits” before admitting they were laborers.

Triple Murder in Murshidabad (October 2019)

In October 2019, Bandhu Prakash Pal (40), a schoolteacher and RSS worker, his pregnant wife Beauty (30), and their five-year-old son Angan were brutally hacked to death in their home in Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal. The crime, first discovered by a milkman who saw a suspect fleeing, sparked political outrage, with BJP leaders blaming political violence and demanding Mamata Banerjee’s resignation.

Systematic Violence During Left Front Rule 

Thousands were killed during the 34-year Left Front rule. An average of 20 political killings occurred annually from 1999-2016. Violence was used as systematic tool to suppress opposition. If we consider the years 2019-2024, there have been atleast 47 political killings between TMC and BJP workers since 2019 Lok Sabha elections. During the 2023 Panchayat elections, at least 11 were killed and over 200 crude bombs recovered.

Systematic Violence Under TMC Rule (2011-2025)

As mentioned above, the Left regime in West Bengal wreaked havoc in terms of law and order. The violence continues under TMC, inheriting Left Front’s violent political culture. Here are a few reported instances.

In June 2019, political violence in West Bengal intensified after two killings in Howrah’s Amta. On 10 June 2019, BJP worker Samatul Dolui was found hanging from a tree, with his family alleging he had faced threats after leading “Jai Sri Ram” rallies. A day earlier, RSS veteran Swadesh Manna was discovered dead in the same manner in Atchata village, also after organizing similar rallies. BJP blamed Trinamool for both murders, while TMC leaders denied involvement, accusing BJP of conspiracy.

In June 2019 inAmdanga, North 24 Parganas, 38-year-old Najibur Karim (alias Akbar), a BJP worker was beaten and killed, sparking local unrest. The BJP alleged Trinamool involvement, while Trinamool MLA Rafiqur Rahman claimed it stemmed from a dispute among local drinkers. Najibur was attacked by Rakesh Piada near Boichgachi’s old market, hospitalized, and later died.

In 2019, three BJP activists were murdered at Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Despite a complaint being filed at the Sandeshkhali police station naming Trinamool Congress functionary Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates as accused, the police reportedly took no action for years. In January 2024, following Shahjahan’s arrest in a separate case involving an attack on ED officials, petitioners approached the Calcutta High Court seeking justice for the 2019 murders.

In January 2021, in Patashpur, East Midnapore, 80-year-old BJP supporter Amulya Mandal died after allegedly being pushed by Trinamool workers while trying to protect his son Shankar, who had been beaten during a local procession. Shankar had joined BJP three years earlier and led a BJP rally on January 1. Trinamool denies involvement, claiming Amulya was bedridden and his death was natural, accusing BJP of politicizing the incident. Tensions escalated locally, with BJP leaders condemning what they called attempts to terrorize the area.

In May 2021, Abhijit Sarkar, a 35-year-old BJP worker in north Kolkata, was dragged from his home and brutally murdered in broad daylight during post-poll violence in West Bengal. The attack, allegedly carried out by Trinamool Congress supporters, involved over 30 men; Abhijit was strangled with cable wires and his head smashed. The case, originally registered at Narkeldanga police station, was later handed to the CBI.

Before the Tamluk Lok Sabha elections in Nandigram, BJP worker Rathibala Aari was killed on 23 May 2024. She reportedly intervened when miscreants, allegedly linked to the Trinamool Congress, attacked her son Sanjay with sharp weapons. Rathibala was beaten multiple times while protecting him and later declared dead at the hospital; her son survived after medical treatment.

In August 2025, the killing of BJP booth president Rajib Biswas in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, sparked political controversy, with BJP alleging that Trinamool Congress supporters had assaulted and set him on fire. Police, however, indicated that preliminary investigations suggest a family dispute may have been the motive. Two individuals, the victim’s father and brother, were arrested in connection with the case. Biswas was reportedly attacked with bamboo poles and stabbed multiple times on the night of August 8, and he later died from his injuries at a hospital the following day.

In the book Hindutva for Changing Times, RSS ideologue J. Nandakumar highlighted political and communal violence in Bengal. He alleged that 90 RSS-BJP workers have been killed, including four for chanting “Jai Shri Ram.” Nandakumar also pointed to incidents like the Kaliachak communal riots, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of denial and appeasement.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally. 

The post Political Killings In India: Radical Left Wing Terror Against RSS-BJP Workers appeared first on The Commune.

Just a few days ago, the news about the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) declaration of a unilateral, one-month ceasefire expressing readiness for conditional peace talks with the central government broke.

This development invites a stark comparison between the previous UPA government’s approach to left-wing extremism and the current administration’s unwavering stance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

The UPA and Chidambaram’s Stance: A Willingness to Talk, Without Surrender

In May 2010, in the immediate aftermath of the brutal Dantewada massacre where 76 CRPF personnel were killed by Maoists, then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram found himself at the centre of India’s most pressing internal security debate. On one hand, the UPA government had launched Operation Green Hunt to confront the armed insurgents; on the other, Chidambaram was under pressure to open a dialogue with the Naxals.

That month, Chidambaram took his case directly to students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), traditionally a stronghold of Left politics. The event, organised by the Congress-backed National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), was titled “Naxalism: Threat to Indian Democracy and Internal Security.” Speaking at the packed School of Social Sciences auditorium late in the evening, the Home Minister received a mixed reception of applause and protests.

Addressing the Maoist insurgency, Chidambaram described it as both a serious law-and-order issue and a problem rooted in socio-economic grievances. He assured students that the government was prepared to review mining contracts in tribal areas and that New Delhi was not blind to the economic causes feeding the rebellion.

But his most striking line came when he made clear that the government’s invitation for talks did not require Maoists to first surrender their weapons.

“It is a serious law and order issue. There are socio-economic causes that we will address, the talks for dialogue. The government is willing to relook at the mining contracts. I was the first minister in this government who said we are ready for talks, we are not asking you to lay down arms because we know you won’t do that, because you believe in armed liberation struggle, you will not lay down arms,” Chidambaram told the students.

What was UPA?

Chidambaram in May 2010, after Naxals massacred 76 CRPF men

He is at JNU

He is explaining he only wants Naxals to talk

He is NOT calling them to lay down weapons, because they believe in armed liberation

Today Naxals begging for mercy…sab hawa nikal gayi pic.twitter.com/LkdCWn08K9

— Abhishek (@AbhishBanerj) September 19, 2025

It was an unusual admission: the Home Minister of India acknowledging that Maoists would never give up their arms yet still offering to negotiate. The statement underlined the UPA’s two-track policy of both military operations and conditional dialogue.

More than a decade later, with Maoist influence has significantly eroded in India and leaders seeking to negotiate from a position of weakness, Chidambaram’s 2010 outreach reads as a moment when the State tried to engage the insurgency at its peak.

(With inputs from NDTV)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Chidambaram As India’s Home Minister Said He’s Not Asking Naxals To Lay Down Arms appeared first on The Commune.

In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district, twelve active Maoists surrendered before Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria on Wednesday, marking a major success for the ongoing Maoists eradication campaign. Among those who laid down arms were two area committee members, considered key figures in the insurgent network.

The total bounty on the surrendered individuals exceeded Rs 18 lakh, underscoring the importance of this breakthrough. “Of them, five are female and seven are male Maoists,” Guria said. The surrender is being seen as a direct result of the government’s robust rehabilitation policy, which has been actively encouraging Maoists to return to mainstream society.

Officials confirmed that the group included members from various wings of the Naxal organisation, such as LOS-CNM, PPCM, Military Latoon, and Jantana Sarkar. Their decision to surrender reflects growing disillusionment within the ranks and increasing faith in the state’s reintegration efforts. Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria, who accepted the surrender, said that the move would not only weaken the operational strength of Maoist groups in the region but also send a strong message to others still engaged in armed rebellion.

The state government had previously announced rewards totalling over Rs 18 lakh on their heads, which will now be nullified following their surrender. This event comes amid a broader national push to eliminate Naxalism. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set March 2026 as the deadline for the complete eradication of the movement.

The numbers reflect steady progress; in 2024, a total of 928 Maoists surrendered, and in the first four months of 2025 alone, 718 have already laid down arms. Additionally, more than 241 Maoists have been killed in security operations this year. The Narayanpur surrender is being hailed as a morale booster for security forces and a validation of the government’s dual strategy of firm military action combined with inclusive rehabilitation.

As the deadline for eliminating Naxalism approaches, such developments are expected to accelerate, bringing hope for lasting peace and stability in affected regions. With continued efforts and community engagement, the vision of a Naxal-free India is steadily becoming a reality—one surrender at a time.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Chhattisgarh: 12 Maoists, Including 2 Area Committee Members, Surrender In Narayanpur appeared first on The Commune.

Jharkhand Police gunned down top Maoist Martin Kerketta, the self-styled supremo of the banned outfit People’s Liberation Front of India (PLFI), during an encounter in Gumla district late Tuesday night, officials said on 6 August 2025.

Kerketta, who carried a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head, had been a dreaded figure across Gumla, Khunti, Simdega, Lohardaga, and Ranchi districts for nearly two decades. He was wanted in connection with over 70 cases related to violent and extremist activities.

According to Gumla SP Haris Bin Zama, police received intelligence inputs that an armed PLFI squad led by Kerketta had arrived in the Changabari Upartoli area under Kamdara police station to extort money from a local businessman. Acting swiftly, a special police team, including the district’s anti-Naxal Quick Response Team (QRT) and forces from two police station areas, launched a cordon-and-search operation. On spotting the advancing forces, Kerketta and his associates opened fire, triggering a retaliatory gunfight in which Kerketta was killed on the spot.

Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. Following the encounter, a massive search operation was launched in the region to trace other members of the squad. Kerketta, a native of Redma village in Kamdara, had been closely associated with former PLFI chief Dinesh Gop and rose through the ranks of the organisation. He assumed command of the outfit after Gop’s arrest from Nepal two years ago and was also a central committee member of the PLFI.

He was reportedly involved in several high-profile acts of violence and extortion. Kerketta had earlier escaped police encounters on at least two occasions. Speaking to the media, SP Haris Bin Zama said, “PLFI supremo Martin Kerketta, who had a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, has been killed in an operation by Gumla police. This is a significant success in our anti-Naxal campaign.” 

-IANS

Subscribe to our Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram channels and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Notorious Maoist Leader Martin Kerketta Shot Dead During Anti-Naxal Operation By Jharkhand Police appeared first on The Commune.

Following the demise of an assistant superintendent of police rank official in Chhattisgarh recently in a gun-battle with Maoists, the security forces will not observe monsoon recess during on-going anti-LWE operation. Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division has Sunday resolved to continue their anti-Naxal operations throughout the monsoon season.

The decision was formalised during a high-level strategy review meeting held on Sunday, police sources said. The meeting brought together senior officers from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and other units engaged in counterinsurgency efforts. Discussions focused on adapting operational logistics to the challenges posed by the monsoon, including difficult terrain, disrupted mobility, and communication hurdles. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Department in-charge Vijay Sharma made the government’s stance unequivocally clear.

“There will be no further dialogue with the Maoists,” he stated. “You either surrender or face decisive action.” This firm declaration signals a significant shift in policy and tone, underscoring the administration’s resolve. Historically, anti-LWE operations saw reduced activity during the monsoon months due to logistical challenges. In a tragic incident in Sukma district’s Kunda region, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Giripunje was martyred in a Maoist-planted IED (improvised explosive device) blast. The explosion also left the SDOP and the officer in charge of the local police station seriously injured. In the aftermath, security agencies have heightened their vigilance, and the government has issued directives for intensified action against the Maoists. Despite seasonal constraints, the campaign against the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) organisation remains active across all districts of the Bastar division. Sources said the officials emphasised that the rainy season will not deter the security apparatus from maintaining pressure on Maoist strongholds.

“Operations will be recalibrated, not paused,” a senior police officer said, highlighting the use of intelligence-led tactics and community engagement to sustain momentum. The Bastar division, which includes several districts with a history of Maoist activity, has seen intensified operations under the state’s broader counterinsurgency framework. Initiatives like “Lone Varratu” and “Poona Narkom” have already led to significant surrenders and a weakening of Maoist influence in the neighbouring regions. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to a three-pronged strategy of “security, development, and trust-building”.

Officials reiterated that the goal is not only to neutralise armed insurgents but also to restore governance and public confidence in remote tribal areas. With the monsoon approaching, the Bastar division’s security forces appear poised to adapt and persist — rain or shine — in their mission to dismantle the Maoist network and restore lasting peace. As part of this renewed offensive, the state government has transferred nearly a dozen Assistant Superintendents of Police to the LWE-affected regions, reinforcing the operational backbone in conflict-prone districts. Each officer has been entrusted with a clear mandate; to eliminate the Maoists’ threat from their respective areas.

–IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Chhattisgarh: Security Forces To Sustain Anti-Maoist Operations Through Monsoon appeared first on The Commune.

The Communist Party of India (CPI), through its General Secretary D. Raja, has issued a strong condemnation of Operation Kagar, the Indian government’s ongoing counter-insurgency campaign targeting Maoist strongholds in central and eastern India. The criticism follows a particularly deadly phase of the operation in Chhattisgarh, where several senior Maoist leaders and a number of local tribals were reportedly killed between May 18 and 21, 2025.

D. Raja voiced his concern on 21 May 2025, calling the killings a “brutal misuse of state power” and warning that such actions risk alienating the very communities the state claims to protect. He accused the government of “militarising tribal regions” and undermining constitutional rights in the name of national security.

What Is Operation Kagar?

Launched in January 2024, Operation Kagar is a multi-phase counter-insurgency campaign initiated by the Indian government. Its stated objective is to eliminate Maoist (Naxalite) influence from the so-called “Red Corridor”—a region spanning parts of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, and other states.

The operation aims to complete Maoist eradication by March 2026, combining military offensives with development schemes in affected regions. However, critics argue that the operation has increasingly blurred the lines between targeting armed insurgents and violating civil liberties of indigenous populations.

The CPI’s latest statements suggest a growing political backlash against what they view as state violence disguised as national security.

This report compiles xx instances made between May 21 and May 23, all sharply critical of the operation. The CPI’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter) was particularly active, denouncing what it described as “extrajudicial killings” and a “war on the poor.” The reactions came not just from India, but also from Pakistan, China, and Turkey!

#1 CPI Condemns ‘Extrajudicial Killings’ In Chhattisgarh

On 21 May 2025, CPI General Secretary D. Raja strongly condemned the killing of a senior Maoist leader and several Adivasis in Chhattisgarh, calling it a ‘cold-blooded and extrajudicial’ act. He alleged that this was, yet another instance of state violence carried out under the pretext of counterinsurgency operations. The CPI criticized the government’s repeated use of force against tribal populations and demanded accountability for the incident. Raja emphasized that such actions violate democratic norms and human rights, urging for an immediate and independent investigation into the killings to ensure justice for the victims.

CPI strongly condemns the cold-blooded killing of a senior Maoist leader along with several Adivasis in Chhattisgarh. It is yet another instance of extrajudicial action carried out under the guise of counterinsurgency operations.

The repeated use of lethal force instead of… pic.twitter.com/qWr5HzPlIH

— D. Raja (@ComradeDRaja) May 21, 2025

#2 CPI(ML) Red Star Condemns Killing Of Maoist Leader Keshav Rao

On 21 May 2025, the CPI(ML) Red Star issued a strong condemnation of the killing of CPI(Maoist) General Secretary Comrade Kambala Keshav Rao and other Maoist activists in Narayanpur-Bijapur. Calling it a calculated and brutal act by the “fascist double engine” regime, the party accused the state of carrying out mass ‘extrajudicial killings’ under Operation Kagar, despite the Maoists’ offer for peace talks. The statement denounced the government’s alleged prioritization of corporate interests over Adivasi rights, linking the killings to forest exploitation and accusing the regime of pursuing a violent, anti-people agenda.

#3 CPI(M) Slams Government Over Killing Of 27 Maoists In Chhattisgarh

On May 22, 2025, the CPI(M) Polit Bureau condemned the killing of 27 Maoists, including General Secretary Nambala Kesavarao, in Chhattisgarh. The party criticized the BJP-led Centre and State governments for rejecting repeated Maoist appeals for dialogue, calling the policy of annihilation inhuman and undemocratic. Statements by the Union Home Minister and Chhattisgarh CM, rejecting peace talks, were termed fascistic. CPI(M) reiterated its opposition to Maoist ideology but urged the government to halt paramilitary operations and immediately respond to calls for dialogue, aligning with appeals from various political groups and concerned citizens for a peaceful resolution.

CPIM Polit Bureau statement on the Encounter of 27 #Maoists in Chhattisgarh.
Read the statement at: https://t.co/oqSbJFLxJo pic.twitter.com/z5sxxaDqqa

— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) May 22, 2025

#4 CPI(ML) Condemns ‘Extra-Judicial Killings’ Under Operation Kagar

On 21 May 2025, the CPI(ML) Liberation strongly condemned the ‘extra-judicial killing’ of CPI(Maoist) General Secretary Keshav Rao and several Maoist activists and Adivasis in Narayanpur-Bijapur. The party criticized the Union Home Minister’s celebratory remarks, claiming they expose Operation Kagar as a state-led extermination campaign targeting citizens under the guise of anti-Maoist action. CPI(ML) asserted that the operation is being used to suppress Adivasi resistance against corporate exploitation and militarization. The Central Committee demanded a judicial probe into the killings and an immediate halt to military operations, especially after the Maoists had declared a unilateral ceasefire.

CPI(ML) strongly condemns the cold-blooded extra-judicial killing of the General Secretary of CPI(Maoist) Comrade Keshav Rao and other Maoist activists and Adivasis in Narayanpur-Bijapur.

From the celebratory post of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it is clear that the state is… pic.twitter.com/g2YSKnVzEy

— CPIML Liberation (@cpimlliberation) May 21, 2025

#5 Communist Workers Circle Condemns Killing Of CPI (Maoist) Leader

On 23 May 2025, the Communist Workers Circle (CWC) issued a statement mourning the death of Comrade Basavaraj, born Nambala Keshav Rao, the General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist). The organisation said it grieves the loss and celebrates the life of Basavaraj, who was killed along with 26 others in what it described as “a cowardly act of terrorism by the Indian state.” The CWC praised Basavaraj’s lifelong commitment to revolutionary politics and anti-imperialist struggle and reaffirmed its solidarity with the Maoist cause, calling his death part of a broader campaign to suppress people’s resistance.

The Communist Workers Circle grieves the loss and celebrates the life of Comrade Basavaraj, born Nambala Keshav Rao, General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist), taken from us yesterday along with 26 other comrades in a cowardly act of terrorism by the Indian state (1/2) pic.twitter.com/R8ib19RyZc

— Communist Workers Circle (@Workers_Circle) May 22, 2025

#6 Hansraj Meena Calls For ‘Justice And Dialogue’ In Chhattisgarh Conflict

On 23 May 2025, environmental activist Hansraj Meena commented on the ongoing anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh, stating that the root causes of the conflict must be addressed. He said people often turn to Naxalism when the government seizes tribal lands, destroys forests, and ignores the voices of indigenous communities. According to Meena, for some, taking up arms becomes a last resort. He asserted that if the government truly wants a long-term solution, it must first create conditions for justice and meaningful dialogue with affected communities instead of relying solely on military action.

छत्तीसगढ़ में नक्सल मिटाने के नाम पर बड़ी कार्यवाही चल रही है। सोचा, पहले ये तो सुना दूं कि नक्सली क्यों बनते हैं? जब सरकार आदिवासियों की जमीन छीनती है, जंगल काटती है, आवाज़ नहीं सुनती…तो बंदूक उठाना कुछ लोगों को आखिरी रास्ता लगता है। अगर सरकार को वास्तव में इस समस्या का हल… pic.twitter.com/pzANqGzIIu

— Hansraj Meena (@HansrajMeena) May 22, 2025

#7 Journalist Hüseyin Doğru Criticizes Indian Offensive In Chhattisgarh

On 22 May 2025, journalist and former Redstreamnet founder Hüseyin Doğru described the recent anti-Maoist operation in Chhattisgarh as a “brutal military campaign” by Indian forces. He stated that 27 Maoists were killed, including Basava Raju, General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist) and head of its armed wing. Doğru emphasized Raju’s long involvement in guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and intelligence operations, highlighting his key roles in the Politburo, Central Committee, and the editorial board of Awam-e-Jung. He called the incident a major escalation in what he described as India’s ongoing war on Maoist communists.

In a Brutal Military Campaign, Indian Forces Killed 27 Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

Among them was Basava Raju, General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist) and Commander-in-Chief of its armed wing.

For over 15 years, he led guerrilla warfare, ambushes, and intelligence operations.

He… pic.twitter.com/R21PGMLSln

— H D (@hussedogru) May 22, 2025

#8 Pakistani Advocate Calls Maoist Terrorist Death “A Symbol Of Resistance”

On 22 May 2025, Pakistani advocate Afshan Awan commented on the killing of Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, by Indian forces. She said that Rao, once an engineer, had given up a comfortable life to stand with Adivasis and Dalits against caste violence, land dispossession, and state oppression. According to Awan, his death was not due to any crime, but for resisting a system rooted in inequality. She claimed that in India, defending the oppressed is labelled terrorism, while systemic violence continues unchecked. Awan concluded that the revolution Rao stood for still lives on.

Nambala Keshava Rao (Basavaraju), once an engineer, gave up a comfortable life to stand with Adivasis and Dalits against caste violence, land grabs, and state oppression. On May 21, 2025, he was killed by Indian forces, not for any crime, but for daring to resist a system built… pic.twitter.com/hmm1MKqyi4

— Advocate Afshan Awan (@AdvAfshanAwan) May 22, 2025

#9 Anonymous Pakistani Handle Calls Basavaraju’s Death a Blow to Marginalized Voices

On 22 May 2025, a Pakistani social media user with the name “Tweeety” reacted to the death of CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, who was killed by Indian security forces in Chhattisgarh. Tweeety said that Basavaraju had become a prominent voice for marginalized communities and that while the government celebrated the operation as a major success, many viewed it as the loss of a leader who stood for justice, dignity, and resistance to entrenched inequality. According to the post, Basavaraju’s legacy would continue to inspire ongoing struggles for tribal rights and social justice.

Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, was a bright NIT Warangal graduate who became a key Maoist leader, driven by the suffering of Adivasis and Dalits. Born in 1955 in Andhra Pradesh, he joined the Naxalite movement in the 1970s to fight caste oppression, land… pic.twitter.com/kkNJ2sdWBB

— 𝑨 (@iTweeety_) May 22, 2025

#10 AISA Demands Probe Into ‘Extra-Judicial Killings’ In Bastar

On 21 May 2025, the AISA unit at CUJ Ranchi strongly condemned what it described as the “cold-blooded, extra-judicial killing” of CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Keshav Rao and other Maoist activists and Adivasis in the Narayanpur-Bijapur region. In a statement, AISA claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s celebratory post confirmed that Operation Kagar was being used as a state-led extermination campaign. The group accused the government of using anti-Maoist operations to suppress Adivasi resistance to corporate exploitation. AISA called on all justice-loving citizens to demand a judicial probe and an immediate halt to the ongoing military campaign.

AISA strongly condemns the cold-blooded extra-judicial killing of the General Secretary of CPI(Maoist) Comrade Keshav Rao and other Maoist activists and Adivasis in Narayanpur-Bijapur.

From the celebratory post of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, it is clear that the state is pic.twitter.com/q0z0BzKCfB

— AISA CUJ Ranchi (@AisaCuj) May 22, 2025

#11 Social Media Handle Mourns Maoist Leader, Praises Role In Attacks Against BJP Leaders

On 21 May 2025, a social media account operating under the name “Muppala Rao”—believed to be mimicking Muppala Lakshmana Rao alias Ganapathy, a prominent Maoist leader—posted a tribute mourning the death of Maoist terrorist Nambala Kesava Rao. In the post, the handle described Rao as a Central Committee and Politburo member and claimed he would “live on in the hearts of Adivasis, Dalits, and other backward castes.”

Central Committee member and Politburo member Nambala Kesava Rao killed in encounter, Long live comrade in the hearts of Adivasis, Daliths, and other backward castes..#LongLiveRevolution pic.twitter.com/XmysK7X88E

— Muppala Rao (@MuppalaRao1) May 21, 2025

The same account has previously expressed support for Naxalites, including celebrating the 2023 killing of BJP leader Sagar Sahu, calling it an act of resistance “against fascism.”

Naxals against fascism. pic.twitter.com/gRz8ftpybU

— Muppala Rao (@MuppalaRao1) February 13, 2023

#12 Namasthe Telangana News Bureau Chief Pays Tribute To Terrorist Nambala Keshava Rao

On 21 May 2025, Voruganti Satish, Chief of News Bureau at Namasthe Telangana, issued a statement saluting Comrade Nambala Keshava Rao. He expressed deep respect for Rao’s unwavering commitment to the people’s struggle, describing him as a legendary revolutionary leader whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Satish emphasized that the memory and spirit of the comrade’s revolutionary efforts remain alive, honoring Rao’s enduring impact on social justice movements. The statement highlighted the lasting influence of Rao’s dedication to the cause of marginalized communities.

Red Salute to Comrade Nambala Keshava Rao! Your unwavering commitment to the people's struggle will forever inspire. A legendary revolutionary leader's legacy lives on. #ComradeInMemory #RevolutionarySpirit pic.twitter.com/LL9ofWlSuu

— voruganti satish (@VorugantiSatish) May 21, 2025

#13 Dr. Cheruku Sudhakar Calls for Peaceful Dialogue in Maoist Conflict

On May 21, 2025, Dr. Cheruku Sudhakar, a Telangana-based activist, doctor, politician, described Nambala Keshava Rao as a ‘relentless fighter’ for the oppressed who died while receiving medical care in Odisha. He criticized the Indian government’s celebration of the killing of a political leader, questioning if any democratic system condones such acts. Sudhakar highlighted Rao’s educated background and efforts to pursue peace talks despite being outlawed. He urged for immediate dialogue with the Maoist party to achieve democratic transformation and peaceful development in Dandakaranya and forest regions. He warned that one-sided violence against Maoists and Adivasis amounts to ‘genocide’, likening it to the situation in Gaza.

Have you ever observed in Indian parliamentary system any political party and their representative as prime minister and home minister
Expresses happiness and congratulations to police officials military killing another political party chief organiser whether you got agreement… pic.twitter.com/wEs36y34Sq

— Dr.Cheruku Sudhakar (@Dr_C_Sudhakar) May 22, 2025

#14 Chinese Chunqiao Publications Mourns Death Of CPI (Maoist) Leader Basavaraju

On 21 May 2025, Chunqiao Publications posted on their X handle that Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Comrade Basavaraju, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), was killed in a combing operation by District Reserve Guard units in the Abujhmad region. They described him as a revolutionary who joined the armed struggle in the 1970s, studied engineering at REC Warangal, and rose to become the party’s second General Secretary in 2018 after Comrade Ganapathy’s resignation. Police claimed that 26 Maoists, including Basavaraju, were killed and released photos of his body from the encounter. The post read, “General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), Nambala Keshava Rao, more commonly known as Comrade Basavraj, has been Martyred in Abujhmad Region — 2025.5.21. Rest in power Comrade Basavraj! Comrade Basavaraju (also known as Gaganna), the second General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist), was born as Nambala Keshava Rao on July 10, 1955, in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. He held a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Regional Engineering College (REC) in Warangal. Comrade Basavaraju actively joined the revolutionary movement in the 1970s and was arrested in 1980 due to a conflict with the right-wing student organization Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). After his release, he joined the People’s War Group of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) and formally participated in the armed revolutionary struggle. In 2004, after the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), Comrade Basavaraju served as the Secretary of the party’s Central Military Commission. In 2018, following the resignation of the party’s first General Secretary Comrade Ganapathy (now 73 years old) due to health reasons, Comrade Basavaraju became the second General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist). 2025.5.21: The District Reserve Guard (DRG) units from four districts—Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Kondagaon—jointly launched a combing operation in the Abujhmad region. During this operation, police claimed that 26 Maoist members were killed, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), Basavaraju. The police also released photos of Basavaraju’s body from the battle scene.”

General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), Nambala Keshava Rao, more commonly known as Comrade Basavraj, has been Martyred in Abujhmad Region — 2025.5.21

Rest in power Comrade Basavraj! pic.twitter.com/wzXCySS85j

— Chunqiao Publications (@ChunqiaoPub) May 21, 2025

#15 Filipino Handle Expresses Solidarity With Maoists

On 21 May 2025, a social media handle from the Philippines named “jinkydoo” expressed solidarity with the Maoists following the killing of Comrade Keshav Rao and other activists. They called for justice for Keshav Rao and the Adivasis in Narayanpur-Bijapur. Along with their message of support, “jinkydoo” shared the statement issued by the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), condemning the operation.

In solidarity
Justice for Comrade Keshav Rao and other Maoist activists and Adivasis in Narayanpur-Bijapur! pic.twitter.com/UuWLHZIZf9

— jinkydoo (@jinkydoo) May 21, 2025

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post 15 Instances Of Maoist/Naxal Supporters Crying Foul About Modi Govt’s Operation Kagar Eliminating Naxals appeared first on The Commune.

In a major success for the security forces for the second consecutive day in the ongoing anti-Maoist operations in Jharkhand, top Maoist commander Tulsi Bhuiyan was gunned down in the Palamu district, officials said on Tuesday.

The fierce encounter that began on Monday night in the Hussainabad subdivision of the district continued on Tuesday. An SLR rifle was recovered from the encounter site. The gunfight continued into Tuesday morning, and unconfirmed reports suggest that several other Maoists may have been injured or killed.

Security personnel have launched a massive search operation across the area. Senior officials, including Palamu Superintendent of Police (SP) Rishma Rameshan and top CRPF officers, are present at the spot. According to an official, the operation was launched based on intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoist commander Nitesh — who carries a reward of Rs 15 lakh — and his squad in Sitachuan, a forested area on the border of Mohammadganj and Haidernagar police station limits. Sanjay Godram, another Maoist with a bounty of Rs 10 lakh, is also believed to be part of this group.

As police and security forces closed in on the location, Maoists opened fire, prompting the forces to retaliate. This encounter comes a day after a similar operation in Netarhat police station area of neighbouring Latehar district, where Maoist commander Manish Yadav, who carried a Rs 5 lakh reward, was killed. Another Maoist, Kundan Kharwar, with a bounty of Rs 10 lakh, was arrested during the same operation.

On May 24, in an encounter in Ichwar forest of Latehar, Maoists Pappu Lohara (Rs 10 lakh reward) and Prabhat Lohara (Rs 5 lakh reward) were killed, and another injured Maoist was arrested. Earlier, on April 21, eight Maoists, including commander Prayag Manjhi — who carried a reward of Rs 1 crore — were killed in a major operation by security forces in the Lugu Hill area of Lalpania in Bokaro district of Jharkhand.

–IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The post Top Maoist Commander Tulsi Bhuiyan Killed In Encounter In Jharkhand’s Palamu appeared first on The Commune.

At least eight Maoists, including senior commander Prayag Manjhi — who carried a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head — were killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in the Lugu hill area of Lalpania in Bokaro district, officials said. The gun battle began around 5.30 a.m. on Monday and was still underway, with intermittent firing reported from both sides.

Officials said the number of casualties could rise further. One of those killed was identified as Prayag Manjhi, a central committee member of the CPI (Maoist). Known by multiple aliases — Vivek Da, Phuchna, Nago Manjhi, and Karan Da — he was active in the Parasnath hills and surrounding areas of Giridih over the past few months.

Manjhi, originally a resident of Dalbudha in Tundi (Dhanbad district), was a key Maoist figure wanted in over 100 incidents across Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. In Giridih district alone, he was wanted in more than 50 cases. An official statement from the CRPF released on Monday morning initially confirmed the killing of four Maoists.

The number has since increased to eight. The earlier statement said: “The Central Reserve Police Force, in a joint operation with the state police, killed four Maoists in an encounter in the Lugu hills of Bokaro district this morning. One SLR and one INSAS rifle have been recovered. No injuries to security personnel have been reported so far. Intermittent firing continues.”

The joint team, comprising personnel from the CRPF’s 209 Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Jharkhand Police, had launched a search operation in the forested foothills of Lalpania police station area when they came under fire from Maoists.

The forces retaliated, leading to the gunfight which is still going on. So far this year, 13 Maoists have been killed in encounters with security forces in Jharkhand.

Police have set a target to make the state completely Maoist-free by the end of 2025. According to Jharkhand Police data, 244 Maoists have been arrested this year, while nine were killed in encounters prior to this operation.

Additionally, 24 Maoists — including four zonal commanders, one sub-general commander, and three area commanders — have surrendered and joined the mainstream of society. –IANS snc/skp

The post Top Maoist Commander Prayag Manjhi With ₹1 Crore Bounty Among 8 Killed In Jharkhand appeared first on The Commune.