New Delhi, Feb 4 (NationPress) As the deadline of March 31 draws near, the battle against Naxalism is reaching its concluding phase. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that India is set to become naxal-free by the end of this month, presenting the remaining Naxalites with two stark choices: surrender or face death.

According to officials, the operations aimed at eradicating Naxalism have progressed to their final stages. Intelligence reports indicate that only two out of the four principal leaders are still actively involved. The focus of this decisive operation will be to either eliminate or secure the surrender of these key figures.

The four prominent Naxalite leaders include Thippiri Tirupathi, Muppala Laxman Rao, Misir Besra, and Asim Mondal. An official from the Intelligence Bureau noted that among these, only Tirupathi and Besra are inclined to continue the fight. Rao is unable to engage due to his advanced age, and Mondal seems disinterested in further conflict. Officials believe that both Rao and Mondal may opt to surrender.

Many Naxalites and their supporters have advised Tirupathi to lay down arms, yet he remains resolute in his commitment to resistance. The current operations will specifically target Besra and Tirupathi, according to officials.

Although approximately 200 armed Naxalites are still in the field, the primary goal of the security forces is to capture the four leaders. Officials suggest that their apprehension could lead to the immediate surrender of the remaining members of the movement.

Regarding the armed cadre, security forces are optimistic about neutralizing them. Many individuals involved are not zealots of the ideology; instead, they have been coerced into joining or motivated by financial gain. This circumstance increases the likelihood of their surrender without resistance, as they do not truly believe in the cause.

Of the 200 Naxalites, a significant majority are situated in Chhattisgarh, with only about 40-50 spread across Odisha, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

In recent months, Intelligence agencies have detected attempts to revitalize the Naxalite movement. Tirupathi, who has been adamant about not surrendering, sought to engage his peers in discussions about reviving their efforts, but these attempts were largely unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, there have been efforts to propagate Naxalite ideology in urban areas. During a protest addressing pollution in Delhi, banners supporting the Naxalite agenda were observed. Intelligence agencies are cautioning that as the movement dissipates in rural areas, efforts will intensify to sustain its existence within urban settings by infiltrating protests and inciting violence.

From 2025 to 2026, security forces made significant strides in combating Naxalism. High-profile leaders, including Basavaraj, were eliminated, while numerous others surrendered. At least five members of the Politburo survived before security forces dealt a substantial blow to the Naxalite agenda.

The most notable setback for the movement occurred with the surrender of senior figures like Mallojula Venugopal Rao, Chandranna, Raider, and Rupesh, who were pivotal in leading the movement for years. Their capitulation prompted a wave of surrenders among their followers. Leading up to these events, security forces also confiscated a large stockpile of arms and ammunition, further crippling the Naxalite initiative.