An assessment by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) based on questioning of surrendered Communist Party of India (Maoist) members and literature recovered during raids has found a rising wave of disaffection among the middle and lower level cadre of the outlawed organisation.

It is reported that the alienation among the middle and lower rungs is on account of the feeling that the senior leaders have become increasingly interested in material pleasures and are not receptive to ideas from the lower rungs. It is said that the senior leadership is averse to serving in ‘difficult areas’ and that no steps have been taken to address a critical shortage of ammunition either.

The extent of alienation among the lower rungs of the Maoist organisation can be seen in the fact that 359 people are reported to have surrendered in the current year with a reported 217 surrenders from Chhattisgarh alone. Surrendering members are said to have echoed the opinion that support among the tribals was fast waning as there was a growing recognition of the opportunities associated with education and government jobs.

A top Maoist leader who recently surrendered is quoted to have said that the Maoists were not interested in the welfare of the tribals and in fact called for “a need to expose what Maoists preach and practise”. It is clear that the government’s development efforts including the setting up of schools and universities in Maoist affected areas is bearing fruit and that the outlawed organisation is being starved of not only resources but also importantly local support.