For years, large parts of India’s heartland were affected by Naxal violence. Known as the Red Corridor, this region stretched across states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. It was controlled in many areas by Maoist rebels, also known as Naxals, who used guerrilla warfare to target security forces, government offices, and infrastructure.The Naxal movement began in 1967 in a village called Naxalbari in West Bengal.
Inspired by Maoist ideology, landless farmers and tribal communities picked up arms to fight against landlords and the state. Over time, the movement spread rapidly, especially in remote areas which development was poor and people felt neglected.At its peak, the insurgency affected over 200 districts. In 2006, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called it “India’s biggest internal security challenge.” One of the deadliest attacks took place in 2010, when Naxals killed 76 CRPF soldiers in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh.
By 2025, however, the situation has changed. The number of affected districts is now down to 18, with only six considered high-risk. This progress is due to a new strategy by the government — increasing security presence, improving intelligence, and investing in development projects like roads, schools, and jobs in tribal areas.
In May 2025, the government launched Operation Black Forest, a major offensive targeting Naxal hideouts at Karreguttalu Hill on the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border. The 21-day operation led to the killing of 31 Naxals, the destruction of 214 hideouts, and the recovery of 35 weapons and four illegal arms factories.Home Minister Amit Shah called it the biggest anti-Naxal operation ever and said the goal is to make India Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.While the threat hasn’t disappeared completely, the Naxal movement has lost much of its strength. Experts say continued development and local engagement will be key to ensuring lasting peace in former Naxal strongholds.
