'Only 10 people left in Maoist central panel'

OFFICIALS ENGAGED IN THE ANTI-MAOIST OPERATION SAID THAT THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE HAD AT LEAST 45 MEMBERS UNTIL 3 YEARS AGO

- Prawesh Lama

The number of Central Committee(CC) members of the Communist Party of India(Maoist) has fallen to just 10, according to data with the Chhattisgarh police and security forces posted in the state.

Officials engaged in the anti-Maoist operation said that the Central Committee, the highest decision making body of the proscribed unit had, until three years ago, at least 45 members in its ranks.

Even as security forces across different states are working to end Maoism, Naxalism, or Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026, a deadline set by the Centre, the officials said the party has suffered most damage this year with its top leaders arrested, killed in gunfights, or surrendering, Earlier, some also died of old age and other natural causes. This, officials added, has also led to discord in the party.