The Hindu Editorial Analysis
05 January 2026
Security camps, the game changer in the Maoist fight
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS Paper – GS-3 : Internal Security, Left Wing Extremism, Governance, Development and Security
Context
The editorial analyses the sharp decline of Maoist (Left Wing Extremist) violence in India, particularly in the Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, and attributes this shift largely to the strategic establishment of security camps in remote and previously Maoist-dominated areas. Government data indicate a near 90% reduction in Maoist-related violence between 2010 and 2025, with the number of LWE-affected districts falling dramatically. The piece argues that the forward deployment of security camps has altered the operational, psychological, and governance landscape of the conflict.
Core Issue
The central issue is whether security camps can sustainably dismantle Maoism, or whether their gains must now be consolidated through governance, rights-based development, and constitutional inclusion.
While security camps have delivered decisive tactical advantages, the editorial stresses that long-term peace depends on addressing structural governance deficits in tribal regions.
Historical Roots of Maoism in Bastar
Maoists entered the Dandakaranya region in the early 1980s due to:
- Rugged terrain and dense forests,
- Geographic remoteness and administrative absence,
- Marginalisation of tribal communities,
- State policy that treated tribal belts as isolated extraction zones.
These conditions enabled Maoists to establish parallel governance structures, with Bastar emerging as the epicentre of insurgency.
The Gradual Shift in State Strategy
The decline of Maoism is linked to the systematic extension of state presence into remote areas.
- Earlier, civil administration had limited reach,
- Governance deficits allowed Maoists to dominate social and political life,
- The turning point came with the establishment of security camps deep inside remote villages.
Initially resisted by local populations, these camps gradually gained acceptance as tangible benefits began to flow.
Security Camps as a Game Changer
The advantages of security camps have been multifaceted:
- Expanded Security Footprint
- Increased police-to-population ratio,
- Reduced Maoist freedom of movement,
- Denial of safe havens.
- Faster Response Time
- Quicker security force reactions to incidents,
- Maoists forced into defensive postures.
- Psychological Impact
- Visible state presence reassured local populations,
- Maoists suffered a morale setback.
- Improved Intelligence (HUMINT)
- Better local cooperation,
- Enhanced human intelligence collection in a zero-sum environment.
- Infrastructure Spillovers
- Construction of roads and mobile towers,
- Improved connectivity transforming daily life.
- Administrative Outreach
- Civil administration piggybacked on security infrastructure,
- Officials such as collectors, tehsildars, and patwaris began reaching villages previously untouched by governance.
Impact on Maoist Capabilities
As security camps consolidated control:
- Maoist recruitment declined,
- Access to weapons, ammunition, and funding narrowed,
- Large numbers of cadres surrendered or were neutralised,
- Leadership structures weakened.
The editorial suggests that Maoism is now in a terminal phase, with its physical presence steadily eroding.
The Development–Security Link
The success of security camps underscores a critical insight:
- Security enables development, and
- Development legitimises security.
By allowing welfare delivery and administrative engagement, camps helped shift popular allegiance away from Maoists towards the state.
The Next Challenge: Rights-Based Governance
While security gains are substantial, the editorial warns that the mid- and long-term challenge lies ahead.
As populations emerge from isolation:
- Rights-based demands will intensify,
- Former Maoists are seeking democratic means to pursue tribal causes,
- Mishandling this transition could create fresh grievances.
The state must now move from a security-first to a governance-first approach.
Implementing Constitutional Guarantees
Sustainable peace requires:
- Effective implementation of PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act),
- Robust enforcement of the Forest Rights Act (FRA),
- Strengthening grassroots democratic institutions,
- Transparent and sensitive civil administration.
In many areas, governance must begin almost from scratch, replacing decades of neglect.
Way Forward: From Camps to Institutions
The editorial calls for:
- A long-term task force with a roadmap till 2047, aligned with Viksit Bharat,
- Gradual transition from security-led control to civilian administration,
- Ensuring that development is participatory, rights-based, and locally grounded.
The sacrifices and achievements of security forces have created a historic opportunity for lasting peace.
Conclusion
Security camps have undeniably transformed the Maoist conflict by dismantling insurgent control, restoring state authority, and enabling governance outreach in some of India’s most neglected regions. However, security success is only the foundation — not the culmination.
The true test now lies in whether the Indian state can convert tactical victory into constitutional peace, rooted in rights, dignity, and inclusive development. If governance follows security with maturity and transparency, the long Maoist insurgency may finally give way to sustainable peace.