What The Killing Of Naxal Commander Basava Raju Means For The Future Of Maoist Movement

News18

21-05-2025

Last Updated:
Basava Raju was the Supreme Commander of the CPI (Maoist) and the movement's principal strategist. His elimination could trigger internal disarray and a leadership crisis
The killing of Basava Raju — also known as Nambala Keshava Rao — marks one of the most significant blows to left-wing extremism in India in recent years. The 70-year-old Supreme Commander of the CPI (Maoist) was eliminated by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), along with 25 others, in a major security operation that lasted over 50 hours in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur. This high-stakes encounter comes days after the conclusion of the largest-ever anti-Naxal operation, led by CRPF Director General GP Singh.
While that earlier mission did not succeed in eliminating top Maoist leadership, the DRG operation did — striking at the very apex of the Maoist command structure. The elimination of Raju is being hailed as a critical success both operationally and symbolically.
WHO WAS BASAVA RAJU?
Basava Raju was more than a senior Maoist — he was the Supreme Commander of the CPI (Maoist) and the movement's principal strategist. After the resignation of Maoist founder Ganapathi in 2018, Raju took over the reins, overseeing the group's most violent operations and directing its long-term insurgent strategy.
Originally from Vizianagaram district in Andhra Pradesh, Raju became involved in left-wing activism during his student years in Warangal, where he joined the Radical Students Union (RSU). Over time, he rose through the ranks from military strategist to General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist). He was on the most-wanted lists of both the NIA and the police forces in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
As an engineer with an MTech degree, Raju combined technical expertise with military planning. According to senior CRPF officials, he was highly skilled in guerrilla warfare and IED deployment, and was central to the training and operational capability of the Maoist cadre. His strategic acumen and battlefield experience made him indispensable to the CPI (Maoist) — which now faces a serious leadership vacuum.
WHY IS THIS ENCOUNTER CONSIDERED A MAJOR MILESTONE?
The death of Basava Raju delivers both a tactical and psychological setback to the Maoist insurgency. With a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head, he was not only the most wanted Maoist but also the ideological and operational core of the group. His elimination could trigger confusion within the Maoist ranks, create a leadership crisis, and discourage new recruits.
Security officials believe the successful operation also sends a clear message to remaining Maoist leaders — that Indian forces have the capacity, intelligence, and reach to dismantle even the highest levels of the insurgent hierarchy. It is expected to lower morale among the cadre and disrupt ongoing Maoist plans.
WHO ARE THE REMAINING TOP MAOIST LEADERS?
Among the remaining top Naxal leaders is Muppala Laxmana Rao, also known as Ganapathi, Ramanna, Srinivas, and Shekhar. Aged around 74, he is known to carry a sten or carbine and currently serves as an advisor and senior member (CMCM, CCM, PBM) of the CPI (Maoist). He hails from Birpur village, Sarangapur police station limits, Karimnagar district, Telangana.
Another key figure is Mallojula Venugopal, also known as Vivek, Bhupati, Veenu, Sonu, and Abhay, aged around 68. He is a senior central committee member (CCM, PBM, CRBM) and currently serves as a spokesperson. He is from Pedapalli village, Thangapalli Mandalam, Rajanna Sircilla district, Telangana. Mishir Besra, also known as Bhaskar or Surnimal, aged around 65, is another senior leader, serving as both CCM and PBM. He is from Madhunadihi village, Pirtand police station limits, Giridih district, Jharkhand.
Mallojula Venugopal and Chandari Yadav are among the top leaders currently steering the group. In addition to these figures, around 12 other Maoists are believed to be part of the Central Committee and Military Commission, functioning as the core leadership behind the Naxalite movement.
WHAT DOES THE LATEST DATA SHOW ABOUT THE FIGHT AGAINST NAXALISM?
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the past decade has seen a dramatic decline in Naxal-related violence:
In the first four months of 2025 alone, security forces neutralised 197 hardcore Naxalites.
In 2014, 35 districts were considered severely affected by Naxalism; by 2025, that number has fallen to just six.
The overall number of Naxal-affected districts has dropped from 126 in 2014 to 18 in 2025.
Naxal-related incidents have decreased from 1,080 across 330 police stations in 76 districts in 2014 to 374 incidents in 151 stations in 42 districts by 2024.
Security personnel martyred dropped from 88 in 2014 to just 19 in 2024.
Conversely, the number of Naxalites killed in encounters has risen from 63 in 2014 to 2,089 cumulatively by 2025.
Surrender rates have also surged — with 928 Naxalites laying down arms in 2024, and 718 more surrendering in just the first four months of 2025.
HOW HAS THE SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE EVOLVED?
From 2019 to 2025, the Indian government has bolstered its counter-insurgency infrastructure:
320 security camps have been set up jointly by central forces and state police.
68 night-landing helipads have been created in Naxal-dominated areas to enable rapid deployment.
Fortified police stations have increased from 66 in 2014 to 555 by 2025 — a massive enhancement in frontline defence capability.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
The elimination of Basava Raju is being hailed as a historic success in India's decades-long battle against the Maoist insurgency. Raju's elimination is expected to create a leadership vacuum, trigger internal disarray, and lower morale among the cadre.
It serves as a morale booster for the security forces and validates continued investment in counter-insurgency operations across affected regions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated the government's commitment to completely eradicating Naxalism from Indian soil by 31 March 2026.
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tags :
anti-Naxal operation CPI (Maoist) Left-Wing extremism
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 21, 2025, 15:05 IST
News india What The Killing Of Naxal Commander Basava Raju Means For The Future Of Maoist Movement