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The Communist Party of India (Maoist), a banned Naxalite organization, has announced a temporary suspension of armed conflict, admitting to serious errors, repeated failures, and strategic missteps. Simultaneously, the organization has expressed a desire to engage in peace talks with both the central and state governments.
This declaration surfaced within an alleged document released in August, attributed to a Maoist Politburo member (PBM). Police authorities have stated they are currently verifying the authenticity of the statement.
A statement from CPI (Maoist) spokesperson Abhay, circulated on social media, claimed the group decided to temporarily halt its armed struggle and demonstrate readiness for peace negotiations with the government. The statement, spanning six pages and released under the name of senior leader Sonu, acknowledged the group’s failure to adapt to India’s evolving circumstances, resulting in significant setbacks in their strongholds. It stated that despite considerable sacrifices, incorrect policies and an inability to correct direction weakened the revolutionary movement across the country.
The statement also included an apology, stating, “We take responsibility for the unnecessary sacrifices, the hardships you faced, and the pain caused by our narrow policies. We apologize to the public.” Another section declared, “It is impossible to regenerate the revolutionary movement without stopping the armed struggle and learning from our mistakes.”
The senior leader admitted that the movement had weakened in areas like Dandakaranya, Bihar-Jharkhand, Odisha, and other regions, suffering heavy losses due to security forces’ actions. It noted that the group failed to recognize weaknesses in their strongholds in a timely manner. Despite the sacrifices of their workers, their shortcomings had pushed the movement backward.
The Maoists cited the pause as essential for reorganization. The statement emphasized that this was not a surrender but a necessary pause. It stated that the struggle could only be steered in the right direction by building people’s power and uniting democratic forces. The statement directly appealed to the government, expressing their readiness for peace talks. They requested that the central government declare a ceasefire and halt search operations in the forests to transform the blood-soaked jungles into peaceful havens. Furthermore, the organization appealed to intellectuals, rights activists, writers, and artists to understand the changed circumstances and offer support.
The party has requested its state and regional committees, along with imprisoned members, to submit suggestions during the ceasefire phase. Contact details, including an email ID and social media handles, were also shared.
Chhattisgarh police officials have taken note of the press note and are investigating its authenticity. A senior officer stated that any decision regarding talks rests with the government and that the statement is currently under scrutiny.
The Maoist movement, once spread across 150 districts in 16 states, has significantly weakened in the last decade due to persistent campaigns, development initiatives, and the surrender and deaths of senior leaders. The neutralization of central committee members, such as Modem Balakrishna and Sujata, in recent years has further weakened the organization.
