UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22th May 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs Maoist Resurgence in Andhra-Odisha Border After Setback

Maoist Resurgence in Andhra-Odisha Border After Setback

Why in News?

After Maoist general secretary Basavaraju’s death, the CPI (Maoist) is struggling to regain lost ground in the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) due to intensified security operations, loss of tribal leadership, and declining local support.

Background:

One of the core strategies of Maoist guerrilla warfare is to avoid concentrating forces in a single location. Instead, multiple small units are created, each led by a local commander. This decentralization:

Helps the movement survive even if one group is eliminated.
Makes it difficult for security forces to strike a decisive blow.
Allows for localized operations and recruitment.

This strategy was strictly followed under Basavaraju, the CPI (Maoist) General Secretary, who was killed in an encounter on May 21, 2024, in Chhattisgarh.

Post-Basavaraju Scenario: Will the Strategy Change?

Senior security officials believe that:

The overall strategic doctrine (small, dispersed units) is unlikely to change.
However, execution may suffer due to leadership gaps and falling cadre strength.

Why Is the AOB Region Important for Maoists?

Geography: AOB has thick forests and over 60% of the terrain is inaccessible by road — ideal for guerrilla warfare.
History: The region has long been a Maoist stronghold due to tribal grievances and remoteness.
Security Challenge: Areas like Galikonda and Gurtedu make combing operations difficult.

Shifting Dynamics After Encounters

➤ June 2021 Teegalametta Encounter

6 top Maoists, including tribal leaders, were killed in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district.
Survivors, including Kakuri Pandana alias Jagan, Gajarla Ravi alias Uday, and Aruna, retreated from AOB and moved to the Dandakaranya Zone (DKZ) in Chhattisgarh.

➤ Return in May 2024

After regrouping, two Maoist teams re-entered AOB:
- One led by Jagan
- Other by Uday and Aruna
They entered via Konta block (Chhattisgarh) and Kailmela region (AOB).

Current Status: Weak and Disorganised

Political Vertical Struggles

Maoists rely on public meetings and tribal support to recruit.
Due to:
- Fear of combing operations
- Popularity of government welfare schemes
Tribal support has declined significantly.

Military Vertical Weakening

Frequent combing by police forces keeps Maoists from regrouping.
Group strength has reduced:
- Jagan’s group: In disarray after his death in 2024.
- Uday-Aruna group: Down to 20 members from 30 due to surrenders.

Loss of Tribal Leadership and Local Connect

The death of Jagan, a tribal leader from GK Veedhi, dealt a major blow.
Jagan was among the last tribal leaders with local influence.
Earlier tribal leaders like:
- Kudumula Ravi (died 2016, illness)
- Bakuri Venkataramana alias Ganesh (killed in 2016 Ramaguda encounter) had already been lost.

Current Maoist Tactic: Lying Low / Hibernation Mode

Maoists are not active militarily or politically in AOB.
Waiting for a “weak phase” in combing/blockading to regroup.
Security forces, however, are continuing intensive operations, especially around Korragutta, where key Maoist military units are believed to be hiding.

Conclusion

While the movement is not completely dead, it is:

Weakened militarily
Disoriented after key leader losses
Losing public support, especially among tribals
Unable to recruit or mobilize

With no strong local leader, reduced cadre strength, and constant security pressure, the Maoist movement in AOB is in serious decline, and unless they find a new strategy or leadership foothold, revival seems unlikely in the near future.