The outlawed CPI (Maoist) is facing a severe leadership vacuum and organizational disarray in Odisha following the recent killing of its top operative, Ganesh Uike. Uike, a central committee member and the in-charge of the outfit's operations in the state, was eliminated in a major blow to the Left-wing extremist group, which is already reeling from the deaths of several prominent leaders this year.
A Decimated Central Leadership
The crisis at the top for CPI (Maoist) is stark. The outfit has not been able to convene its central committee since May 21, when its general secretary Basavaraju, the architect of the Odisha expansion, was killed in Chhattisgarh along with 27 cadres. This year alone, the group has lost at least 10 central committee members, including military leader Madvi Hidma. The death of Ganesh Uike has further aggravated this crisis, leaving the organization struggling to maintain its base in Odisha.
Security officials believe the outfit may not immediately appoint a formal successor to Uike. While central committee members Mallaraji Reddy alias Sangram (based in Chhattisgarh) and Analda alias Toofan (from Jharkhand) are in contention, the immediate and bigger responsibilities for Odisha are likely to fall on state or special zonal committee members. The names in focus are Sudarshan alias Bikash from Telangana and Nikhil alias Niranjan Rout from Odisha, both of whom carry bounties of Rs 65 lakh each on their heads.
Sustained Security Offensive Cripples Maoists
The anti-Maoist campaign in Odisha has gained significant momentum in 2024. The operations have been relentless and targeted. On September 11, central committee member and Odisha secretary Modem Balakrishna was killed in Chhattisgarh. Earlier, on January 21, a joint operation by Odisha, Chhattisgarh police, and the CRPF eliminated top commander Chalapathi and 13 cadres in Chhattisgarh. Chalapathi was actively involved in attempts to revive Maoist influence in Odisha.
The May 21 encounter that killed Basavaraju was described as a body blow to extremism in the region. A senior security officer stated, "These operations have decimated Maoist influence in Odisha. Nearly 95% of the Maoists operating in Odisha are from Chhattisgarh. Currently, only around 80 Maoists remain active in the state, including about five from Odisha."
On the Run: The New Faces in Charge?
With the top leadership neutralized, the pressure is now on the next rung. Nikhil, who earlier led the Bansadhara-Ghumusar-Nagavali division, narrowly escaped an anti-Maoist operation in Kandhamal a fortnight ago. In a clear sign of the intensified hunt, Odisha police have recently pasted reward posters featuring Sudarshan (Bikash), Nikhil, his wife Ankita alias Indu, Krishna alias Sukru, and Nitu across Kandhamal and adjoining districts.
Despite the planned reshuffle, security forces are confident. A senior officer remarked, "The outfit is gasping for breath. Sudarshan and Nikhil may be tasked with reviving the base in Odisha. But we will foil their plans and continue with our heightened operations." Officers claim that with its leadership decimated and cadres dwindling, CPI (Maoist) faces one of its toughest phases ever in Odisha, struggling to find capable leaders to stem the downward spiral.
