Will going aggressively against Maoist leaders and cadre eliminate Naxalism? The Centre has fixed a target to do it by March 2026.Aggressive actions can lead to higher attrition among the Maoist cadres and result in significantly lower levels of violence, as they would prefer escaping the wrath of the forces. However, aggression does nothing to undermine the political, ideological and social components of the Naxal movement and its public support, nor does it address the root causes, like perceived deprivation among people under the influence of Maoists, which gave birth to the movement in the first place.What more must the government do to choke their ideological, operational and financial bases?The government already has a constant, coordinated and focused strategy to deal with Maoist violence. Key progress has been made. Difficulties faced by security agencies and civil administration on the ground — especially those about access to terrains, communication and other resources — have been addressed. Other mitigation steps like surrender policy are major initiatives. But the main issue is the ideological and political appeal of Maoists among the masses, which you can’t kill with a gun.
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