India’s Naxalite threat is much reduced

Subject

Declining threat of India's Maoists.

Significance

Some 62 Naxalites -- Maoist rebels -- recently surrendered to security forces in Chhattisgarh, where around 125,000 police and paramilitary troops were deployed to safeguard this week’s first phase of the state elections, which the Naxalites want boycotted. Home Minister Rajnath Singh last month said Naxalites would be eliminated in India within 1-3 years.

Impacts

• The government is unlikely to prioritise land reform in the lead-up to the 2019 general election.
• Some states are likely to see outbreaks of Hindu-Muslim religious violence ahead of the national poll.
• Singh will likely remain home minister if Prime Minister Narendra Modi wins a second term.