Operation Demolishment Targets Naxal Memorials

India’s intensified campaign against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has entered a new phase with security forces targeting not only armed cadres but also ideological symbols linked to Naxal groups. Under the initiative termed ‘Operation Demolishment’, authorities have dismantled memorials and monuments allegedly erected by Naxal operatives to glorify leaders and mobilise local support.

Officials stated that 203 such structures have been demolished so far in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, two states historically affected by Naxal violence. The move reflects a broader counterinsurgency strategy aimed at weakening both the operational and psychological foundations of extremism.

Sharp Escalation in 2026

The drive gained unprecedented momentum in 2026. In Chhattisgarh, no such structures were removed in 2023. The number rose to eight in 2024 and 11 in 2025. However, 2026 alone witnessed the demolition of 130 memorials, taking the four-year total in the state to 149.

Maharashtra recorded a similar, though smaller, pattern. One memorial was removed in 2023, two in 2024 and seven in 2025. In 2026, authorities dismantled 45 structures, bringing the cumulative figure to 55 in the state.

Ideological and Psychological Impact

Security agencies maintain that these memorials functioned as tools of ideological outreach. Naxal outfits allegedly used the sites to commemorate slain cadres, organise gatherings and influence youth in remote forested areas.

By dismantling these symbols, officials believe they are curbing the narrative-building mechanisms that sustain recruitment and local support. The strategy seeks to erode the psychological grip of extremist organisations on vulnerable communities.

Important Facts for Exams

• Left-Wing Extremism in India is commonly associated with Naxalite or Maoist insurgency.
• Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra are among the states most affected by LWE.
• The “Red Corridor” refers to LWE-affected districts across central and eastern India.
• Counterinsurgency strategy includes both security operations and developmental initiatives.

Integrated Counterinsurgency Strategy

Operation Demolishment forms part of a comprehensive approach combining combing operations against active cadres with efforts to disrupt recruitment and support networks. Officials indicated that similar measures could be extended to other affected regions.

The intensified campaign signals that the government’s strategy now targets not only armed insurgency but also the symbolic infrastructure that reinforces extremist ideology.