Maoists offer giving up armed insurgency, seek ceasefire & peace talks with Centre

In a purported statement, the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-M) has offered ceasefire and sought peace talks with the Centre.

The CPI (M) has said that it would give up armed insurgency to join mainstream politics and has asked the Centre to declare a one-month ceasefire and halt ongoing operations across central and eastern India, according to a statement by Abhay, the nom de guerre of top Maoist leader Mallojula Venugal Rao.

The Chhattisgarh government has said that is aware of the statement and is verifying its authenticity. The state government further objected to conditions laid down by Maoists and said the best way to join the mainstream remains giving up arms under the government’s rehabilitation policy.

The statement has come at a time when central and state security forces have killed top Maoist leaders in recent years, and the movement is said to be in its last phase. The Modi government has said it would crush the armed insurgency by March 31, 2026.

In May, Chhattisgarh Police killed Nambala Kesava Rao alias Basavaraju, the General Secretary of CPI (M), in forests in state’s Narayanpur district. Since Rao’s killing, several top Maoist figures, such as Sahadev Soren, Raghunath Hembram, Virsen Ganjhu, and Modem Balakrishna have been killed.

This is at least the third time this year that the CPI (M) has come up with such an offer. Earlier, the outfit had made offers in April and May. The statement in April was also issued in the name of Abhay. In May, after CPI (M) chief Basavaraju was killed, it was reported that Abhay could also surrender in the coming months.

‘We have decided to shun arms’

In a statement dated August 15, CPI (M) leader Abhay said that Maoists have decided to shun arms in the wake of changed national and global circumstances.

“To take forward the process of peace talks that was started on the initiative of the party’s General Secretary (the late Basavaraju), we are making it clear that in view of the changed global and national circumstances, as well as the continuous requests being made by the country’s Prime Minister, Home Minister and senior police officers to give up arms and join the mainstream, we have decided to shun arms,” the statement read, as per PTI.

The CPI (M) further said that it has decided to “declare a temporary halt to the armed struggle”. It sought a month’s time to hold consultations with cadres and leaders to build consensus for talks with the government.

The CPI (M) said it would hold talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah or a person or a delegation appointed him.

For such talks, however, the Centre should immediately declare a formal ceasefire for a month, stop search operations, and take forward the peace process, the CPI (M) said.

“We are making it clear that in the future, we will fight shoulder to shoulder with all political parties and organisations fighting for the public cause as far as possible,” the statement further said.

The Centre has designated the CPI (M) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The outfit, the main body engaged in the Maoist insurgency, was formed in 2004 with the merger of the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist People’s War Group (CPI ML-PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre of India (MCCI).

We are confirming authenticity of Maoists’ statement: Chhattisgarh govt

While the Centre has not yet commented on the Maoist statement, the Chhattisgarh government has said it is verifying the statement and will act accordingly.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma told The Times of India even though the authenticity of the statement is yet to be confirmed, there are notable differences in the statement, such as the usage of the issuer’s photograph for the first time, the changed writing style, and the mention of an email ID.

However, Sharma, who is also the state’s home minister, objected to the usage of “ceasefire” by the Maoist outfit.

“The word ceasefire is highly objectionable because there’s no war going on here that needs a ceasefire. There can be no ‘conditional’ talks in democracy and they have again come up with conditions like before. But, after verification of the press note, we will discuss within the govt and make a decision. Besides, the letter for ceasefire is dated on August 15, and Maoists had since then killed villagers and planted IEDs that had injured our jawans,” said Sharma.

The best way for Maoists is to surrender, avail provisions of rehabilitation policy, and contribute to building the nation, even as a political person, said Sharma.

Notably, Sharma had last year called for peace talks with Maoists on a platform of their choice, such as a video call, in-person meeting, or a telephone call.

Separately, a senior officer in the intelligence wing told CNN-News 18 that while “prima facie” the letter appeared to be authentic, the next 48 hours are crucial to see if there is any further clarification or denial.

“Naxals are under pressure. Earlier this year, too, conditional surrender was mentioned by central committee members, but this is the first time that unconditional giving up of arms has been mentioned. Also, the reference to the PM and HM’s appeal is new,” the officer said.

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