Rift within CPI [Maoist]; Telangana State Committee rejects CC spokesperson offer to lay down arms, hold talks

New Delhi: Days after Maoist’s Central Committee spokesperson Abhay alias Bhupati in an alleged letter offers to lay down arms and hold talks with government, the Telangana State Committee of the banned outfit in a release has rejected the statement issued by Abhay.

In a press note issued, Telangana State Committee of CPI [Maoist] while distancing itself from the letter issued by CC spokesperson Abhay, has termed it a personal view of the latter.

The press note read that the statement made by CC spokesperson does not reflect the Maoist’s group official position and is creating disbelief and confusion within the outfit, as per media reports.

The latest release has surfaced days after Abhay alias Bhupati in a purported letter offered to lay down arms, appealing the government to halt search operation for a month to enable internal consultation among the members of the group including those who have been lodged in prison.

Read more at: Maoists offer to give up arms, hold talks; government says verifying authenticity of letter

The statement issued by the state committee indicates internal rifts among the top brass of the outlawed group, which according to the officials is battling for survival after suffering heavy losses with hands of security forces in recent time.

Notably, security forces in the past two years have eliminated over 400 cadres of the banned group in separate encounters that have occurred across Maoist-affected areas of multiple states, including top ranking commanders. The Continuous operations in erstwhile strongholds of CPI [Maoist] has also led to mass surrender of its former members.

As per government, over 1600 former Maoists have parted ways with the unlawful group in Chhattisgarh, the most Maoist-affected state, since December 2023 alone.

This comes amid security forces eradicating Maoist’s presence from areas like Budha Pahad and Parasnath hills in Jharkhand and Karregutalu hills and other key localities in Abujhmad and south Bastar of Chhattisgarh, compelling the Maoists to retreat from their former bastions.

Read more at: Security forces to intensify ‘campaign targeting top Maoist cadres’ in Bastar

According to a recent release by Union Government, as many as 18 districts remained affected by Maoist-insurgency at present, a sharp decline from hundred plus Maoist-affected districts in 2015. Of late, the government has also indicated about intensifying anti-Maoist campaign in upcoming months to meet its target of eradicating red terror from Bharat by March next year.