Sukma (Chhattisgarh): In a significant development in India’s fight against Left-wing extremism, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) demolished a memorial dedicated to Maoist leader Ravula Srinivas alias Ramanna in Gogunda village of Sukma district on Thursday.
Ramanna, a central committee member of the Maoists, died of cardiac arrest in 2019 and was considered the mastermind behind the deadly 2010 Naxal attack in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed. He was also linked to the 2013 Jhiramghati attack that claimed 28 lives, including senior political leaders.
Military Perspective: Strategic Control of Former Maoist Stronghold
Security officials said the demolition followed the establishment of a forward operating base (FOB) in Gogunda on November 20, 2025—an action that helped end prolonged Maoist dominance in the region.
Assistant Commandant Videkho Kiye of the 74th Battalion stated that the area had long remained under Naxal control and was previously cut off from security forces. The removal of the monument, he added, is expected to “pave the way for a brighter future for the upcoming generation.”
Authorities also highlighted ongoing efforts to rehabilitate residents and improve infrastructure, including electricity, water supply, a school building, and a helipad.
Government View: Declining Maoist Violence
According to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Left-wing extremist violence has fallen by 88% since 2010, while deaths among civilians and security personnel have dropped by 90%.
- Violence incidents declined from 1,936 in 2010 to 234 in 2025.
- Deaths fell from 1,005 to 100 during the same period.
- In 2025 alone, security forces neutralised 364 Maoists, arrested 1,022, and facilitated 2,337 surrenders.
Officials noted that only eight districts across India remain affected by Left-wing extremism, six of them in Chhattisgarh, aligning with the government’s goal of eliminating the insurgency by March 31, 2026.
Security Significance
Experts view the demolition as more than symbolic—it signals the shrinking influence of Maoist groups in historically affected areas and reflects coordinated military-police efforts to restore governance and development.
