Operation Demolishment Intensifies India’s Anti-Naxal Strategy

Security Forces Target Naxal Memorial Structures

India’s campaign against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has entered a more expansive phase with authorities dismantling ideological symbols linked to Naxalite groups. Under the initiative termed Operation Demolishment , security agencies have removed memorials and monuments allegedly constructed by Naxal operatives to commemorate leaders and influence local populations.

Escalation of Demolition Drive

Officials reported that 203 such structures have been dismantled across Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra , states historically impacted by Maoist insurgency. The demolition campaign accelerated sharply in 2026.

In Chhattisgarh, no memorial structures were removed in 2023. The figures rose modestly to eight in 2024 and 11 in 2025. However, 2026 alone recorded the demolition of 130 sites, taking the cumulative four-year total to 149.

Maharashtra exhibited a similar trajectory. After isolated removals in earlier years, authorities dismantled 45 memorials in 2026, reflecting a significant intensification of operations.

Strategic and Psychological Objectives

Security agencies maintain that such memorials functioned as instruments of ideological reinforcement. Extremist groups allegedly used these locations to honour deceased cadres, organise gatherings, and propagate narratives aimed at recruitment, particularly among youth in remote forested regions.

By removing these symbolic structures, authorities aim to disrupt psychological influence mechanisms and weaken the narrative-building strategies of insurgent organisations.

Integrated Counterinsurgency Framework

Operation Demolishment complements broader counterinsurgency efforts involving security operations, intelligence coordination, and developmental interventions. Officials view the initiative as part of a comprehensive strategy targeting both operational networks and ideological infrastructure.

Broader Policy Implications

The intensified campaign signals a shift toward addressing non-combat dimensions of insurgency, reflecting evolving counter-extremism doctrines.

Exam-Focused Key Points

• LWE linked to Naxalite/Maoist insurgency.

• Chhattisgarh among most LWE-affected states.

• “Red Corridor” denotes LWE-affected regions.

• Counterinsurgency includes security and development measures.

• Psychological operations influence extremist recruitment dynamics.