Maoist Letters Reveal Deepening Divisions Amid Security Crackdown

Raipur: The ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh have significantly weakened Maoist organisations, forcing them into retreat. In recent months, several letters from the Maoist ranks have surfaced—some appealing for peace, others urging the government to declare a ceasefire. Now, a fresh letter has come to light, this time directed towards their own cadres. In it, Maoist leaders state that any member who feels threatened or unable to continue the armed struggle may lay down their weapons.

Who Signed the Letter?
The letter, issued in the names of Maoist spokespersons Abhay and Vikalp, is aimed at cadres contemplating surrender. It clearly states that those fearful of continuing the fight should give up their arms. However, it also asserts that surrendering weapons does not equate to abandoning their ideology.

The Trigger: Internal Dissent
This latest communication follows a dramatic appeal from notorious Maoist commander Sonu, also known as Venugopal Rao, who urged his organisation to consider surrender as the only viable path forward. In his letter, Sonu admitted that the time for raising armed struggle in the name of people’s issues had passed. His remarks have reportedly created deep divisions within the Maoist leadership. While some leaders supported his call, others strongly opposed it, insisting that their ideology cannot be compromised.

Sonu is a Central Committee member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), making his statement particularly significant.

Maoist Response to Sonu’s Call
Following Sonu’s appeal, a counter-letter was released in the names of Abhay and Vikalp. In it, Maoist leaders reiterated that while fearful cadres may surrender their weapons, the organisation will not forsake its ideology. They further acknowledged that recent high-profile surrenders and internal betrayals have exposed senior leaders’ movements, leading to heavy losses at the hands of security forces.

The Only Way Forward
According to Baster Range IG, security operations under Mission 2026 have placed Maoists under unprecedented pressure. With several top commanders eliminated and their networks shrinking, the police maintain that the insurgents now face only one realistic option: surrender and reintegration into the mainstream.