The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has made a significant announcement, temporarily suspending its armed conflict. This decision comes after the organization acknowledged its failures, including strategic errors and setbacks. The group has also expressed its willingness to engage in peace negotiations with the Indian government at both the central and state levels.
The statement, believed to originate from a Maoist Politburo member, surfaced in an alleged document released in August. Police are currently investigating to confirm the document’s authenticity.
Specifically, a statement attributed to CPI (Maoist) spokesperson Abhay went viral on social media, detailing the group’s decision to halt armed conflict temporarily and to seek peace talks. A six-page statement, issued in the name of senior leader Sonu, was released Wednesday. It conceded that the organization had struggled to adapt to changing conditions in India, leading to significant losses in their strongholds. The document asserted that, despite sacrifices, the revolutionary movement had been weakened across India due to faulty policies and an inability to correct course.
The statement also includes an apology to the public, taking responsibility for the hardships endured and the pain caused by the group’s policies. The document emphasized that revitalizing the revolutionary movement was impossible without ceasing armed struggle and learning from past mistakes.
The senior leader acknowledged the weakening of the movement in regions like Dandakaranya, Bihar-Jharkhand, and Odisha, due to security forces’ actions. The statement also said they failed to recognize their weaknesses in a timely manner in areas where they were once strong. The statement indicated that their shortcomings pushed the movement backward.
The Maoists explained that the pause was necessary for internal reorganization. It was emphasized that this was not a surrender, but a required pause. They stated that the right direction could only be achieved by building up people’s power and uniting democratic forces. The statement directly appealed to the government, expressing readiness for peace talks. The organization called on the central government to declare a ceasefire and stop search operations to create peaceful conditions. They further appealed to intellectuals, activists, writers, and artists, urging them to understand the situation and offer support.
The Maoists have called on their state and regional committees, as well as imprisoned members, to provide suggestions during the ceasefire. Contact details, including email and social media, have been provided.
Chhattisgarh police officials are reviewing the press note and its authenticity. A senior officer confirmed that the government will make any decisions on talks and that the statement is currently being investigated.
The Maoist movement, which once spanned 150 districts across 16 states, has weakened due to sustained campaigns, development efforts, and the surrender or death of senior leaders. The elimination of central committee members, such as Modem Balakrishna and Sujata, has also contributed to the organization’s decline.