Does Hidma’s killing signal end of Naxalism?

THE killing of Madvi Hidma, one of the most dreaded ultras in the country and a key member of the Central Committee of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), is a major blow to the think tank of the Naxal leadership and comes at a time when the Centre’s deadline of wiping out red terror from the country by March 31, 2026 is just months away.

Hidma’s death in an encounter on November 18 by security forces in the dense Pullagandi forests of Andhra Pradesh came at a time when several other key Naxals had been either killed or had surrendered over the past few weeks.

Whether Hidma’s killing can be termed as the beginning of the end of Naxalism in the country is something which is easier said than done, with observers pointing out that despite the Centre’s March 31, 2026 deadline, the Naxals will try and keep up with their fight against the establishment to try and convey that they can survive beyond deadlines set by the government.

After Hidma’s elimination, only seven key members of the CPI (Maoist)’s Central Committee are left. Though there are indications that efforts are being made by some of them to start peace negotiations with the government, they will not easily give up the path of violence and may prefer dying fighting, sources aware of developments in the Bastar region, said.

Muppala Laxman Rao, Thippiri Thirupathi (reportedly the new CPI [Maoist] general secretary), Paka Hanumanthulu, Pusunuri Narahari (all from Telangana), Misir Besra, Anal Da (both from Jharkhand) and Majjidev (from Chhattisgarh) are the surviving Central Committee members of the outlawed CPI (Maoist).

Mallojula Venugopal Rao, alias Sonu (70), a member of the CPI (Maoist)’s Politburo, on October 14 surrendered in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district, a development which came as a major setback to the Central Committee of the party.

Also, Pulluri Prasad Rao, alias Chandranna, and Telangana state committee member Bandi Prakash, alias Prabhath, on October 28 surrendered before Telangana DGP B Shivadhar Reddy in Hyderabad, which was also a blow to the Naxal leadership.

However, out of these Central Committee members, Thippiri Thirupathi, alias Devji, is considered among the most dreaded ultra leaders after Hidma.

Senior police officials informed that if Devji is eliminated, it would signal a virtual end of the Naxal leadership in the Chhattisgarh-Telangana-Andhra Pradesh region.

At the same time, even if say Devji gets caught or killed in future, the Naxal cadre under the Central Committee, many of whom are in the favour of keeping up with the armed struggle, may try and pose challenges before the establishment.

It is true that several of the abovementioned Central Committee members are either old or unwell and there are differences among them regarding continuing with violence or surrendering, their complete elimination is not possible as the Naxal leadership has been devising ways to counter the tactics of security forces.

According to scholars and peacemakers active in Chhattisgarh, despite their depleting numbers, Naxals have not stopped their movement and mobilising work within the jungles and villages.

While forward operating bases (FoBs) set up by security forces have allowed them to penetrate deeper into Naxal territory and forced ultras to constantly change their hideouts, the Naxal leadership has cut down its units and companies into smaller groups in order to dodge security personnel.

Also with the Centre and security forces adopting aggressive tactics as the March 2026 deadline gets closer, the Naxals may try and regroup and are now thinking of shifting their base to urban areas.

Therefore, the government and the security apparatus need to be mindful of this possible change of strategy on part of the Naxals if they want to land a decisive blow to the red terror.