New Delhi, Dec 5 (LatestNewsX) – With the deadline for ending the Naxal menace fast approaching, central security forces are gradually shifting their approach. At present, these units are deployed at full capacity in hotspots, but as the threat is ebbing, state police will be given a larger share of the work.
Though the agencies say they are confident of dismantling all remaining Naxalite cells, they warn that vigilance must be maintained to prevent any resurgence.
According to an official, while a complete troop pull‑out is not planned for safety reasons, the overall presence of central forces will be scaled back as the situation stabilises.
Re‑allocation of troops in the affected regions will accompany a greater reliance on the Intelligence Bureau, especially when dealing with the ideology’s spread in urban centers. The investigation into the India Gate demonstration has highlighted this trend.
The probe revealed that certain members of the Bhagat Singh Chatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM), the group behind the protest, have alleged Naxalite links. Chief among them, E. R. Akshay, is said to be tied to Maoist circles. Police found videos of Naxal activities on his phone and a discussion about the killing of senior Maoist Madvi Hidma.
Intelligence agencies have been warning for months that the movement seeks to infiltrate cities, and the recent protests confirm that this is already happening. One officer said that plans are in motion to launch large‑scale operations across various parts of the country, using the current protest as a prototype. Others added that the seeds are already sown and that these actors are organising on a much larger scale.
The demonstrators originally focused on pollution but soon displayed a poster condemning Hidma’s death, coupled with the slogan “Lal Salam.” They provoked the police, knowing that a visible crackdown would serve as a “victim card” to galvanise further protests elsewhere. These individuals understand that while rural jungles are nearing the end of their engagement, they are now shifting to urban arenas, choosing hot topics and, under the guise of legitimate dissent, pushing for Naxalism.
Such a tactic is perilous, one official warned, as protests frequently devolve into violence. The bigger aim appears to be keeping the main cities restless as the war in the jungles draws to a close.
In the affected rural areas, security teams are conducting regular audits to assess whether the current force levels are still necessary, given the marked decline in the menace.
When asked whether a full handover to state authorities would occur, an official said it would not be prudent. Central forces will remain in these districts for several more years until state units are fully capable of managing the situation on their own.
Nonetheless, a gradual thinning of the brigade is expected over the coming months, ensuring no revival while simultaneously supporting state police as they build capacity.
Security specialists emphasize that during this transition, state police must maintain tight coordination with units from other states. If residual Maoists attempt to move across borders, inter‑state collaboration will be crucial.
While the Naxal threat could disappear well before the March 2026 deadline, agencies have ordered ongoing surveillance of possible hiding militants. The numbers are small, but caution is advised. Routine security reviews will determine whether troop levels should be cut or maintained.
Meanwhile, investigations in the jungles continue, but the main fronts have moved to the cities, with various groups striving to keep the ideology alive and India simmering on the brink, an IB official said.
vicky/uk
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