PV Ramana’s Book on the Maoist Movement Unveiled

The book India’s Maoists: Glimpses into Red Insurgency, authored by security expert P.V. Ramana, who has conducted extensive research on India’s Maoists and their movement, was released on Wednesday at the Command Control Centre. Telangana government security adviser and former DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy, former Andhra Pradesh DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao and several senior police officials attended the event. Shivadhar Reddy said the influence of Naxalism had declined through the collective efforts of various government departments and police forces. He observed that the spread of Ambedkarite ideas, which emphasise constitutional rights and social justice, had raised public awareness and challenged Maoist propaganda even before talks with the Naxalites began. The expansion of educational and employment opportunities had also changed the attitudes of young people and their parents towards the Maoist movement. He said governments initially treated Naxalism as a local issue but later recognised it as a long-term challenge and developed specialised units such as the Greyhounds and the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB). He also recalled that former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had initiated efforts for talks with the Naxalites, although subsequent developments resulted in losses on both sides.

Former Andhra Pradesh DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao said undivided Andhra Pradesh had adopted several specialised strategies to tackle Naxalism, which originated in the region. He added that police forces in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had played important roles in countering the Maoist movement. He stressed that lasting peace would require continuous intelligence gathering and a strong focus on development. He also called for a cautious withdrawal of central forces from Maoist-affected areas, with key positions maintained in strategically important forest regions. In addition, he said clandestine Maoist networks in cities and their illegal funding channels needed to be further curbed. Author P.V. Ramana recalled that around 25 years ago, Naxalism affected 196 districts, providing an opportunity for the expansion of the Red Corridor. He said the book examines the Maoist party’s organisational structure, mass organisations, urban networks, women cadres and links with northeastern states. It also analyses alleged cash and gold-biscuit stockpiles in forests and cities, major armed attacks and shortcomings in surrender policies. Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar, Law and Order DGP Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, Greyhounds DGP Anil Kumar, Command Control Centre director Kamalasan Reddy and several former police officers also attended the event.