In two operations in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, 30 alleged Maoists were killed, bringing the total number of Maoists killed this year to over 100, according to security forces.
The Communist Party of India (Maoist) is facing its most challenging period in over 20 years, with its insurgency largely confined to the forested areas of southern Chhattisgarh.
The insurgency peaked in the mid-2000s when it was labeled the "greatest security threat" to India but has since weakened.
The Maoists' violent strategy and focus on militarism have eroded their support bases, especially in areas where the Indian state's presence was weak.
The Indian government has worked to address governance and development issues in tribal areas while taking a tough approach to counter Maoist guerrilla warfare.
Past mistakes, such as the Salwa Judum campaign, have raised concerns about the impact of anti-Maoist operations on tribal populations, including potential casualties among them.
A purely military solution may not be effective, as experiences with similar insurgencies elsewhere show that repression can strengthen insurgencies, especially when it alienates the tribal population.
A better approach would involve civil society in negotiating a truce and offering rehabilitation incentives to encourage the Maoists to abandon violence.
The Maoists have been unwilling to abandon their violent path, despite the cost in lives, including those of tribals who are caught in the conflict.
Experiences from other countries, like Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)) and Nepal, suggest that a peaceful resolution is possible if the insurgents are willing to negotiate.
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