The death of Madavi Hidma, a top Naxal leader, in a recent encounter with security forces, is being seen as a pivotal moment in the fight against Naxalism in India. Hidma's elimination comes ahead of the November 30 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has vowed to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Hidma, who was 44 years old, was killed in the dense Pullagandi forests, located at the tri-junction of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. He was a senior commander in the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and a member of the Maoist Central Committee. Hidma was believed to be the only tribal leader from Bastar to rise to the highest tier of the Maoist hierarchy. He was linked to more than 26 major Naxal attacks across central India and carried rewards exceeding ₹1 crore across various states.

According to Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief Mahesh Chandra Laddha, the police had received intelligence about the entry of Maoist leaders into Andhra Pradesh, which led to the encounter. Six Maoists, including Hidma and his wife Madkam Raje, were killed in the operation. Security forces recovered arms and ammunition, including AK-47s, a pistol, a revolver, and a single bore weapon.

Amit Shah had set a deadline of March 31, 2026, to end Naxalism in the country and had also instructed top security officials to eliminate Hidma before November 30. Sources suggest that the operations against Naxals are progressing well, and Left-wing extremism is likely to be over before the March deadline.

Several factors have contributed to the decline of Naxalism in India. These include coordinated security operations, development initiatives in Naxal-affected districts, and surrender and rehabilitation policies for ex-militants. Community participation and political will have also played a role in reducing Naxal influence. The number of Naxal-affected districts has decreased from 223 in 2008 to 45 in 2023. Violence is now mainly confined to parts of Bastar in Chhattisgarh and Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.

The government has been focusing on a balanced approach of security, development, and rights to ensure the permanent end of Naxalism and the inclusion of tribal areas into mainstream governance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appealed to Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream. He has also said that the government is determined to free the country from Naxalism before March 31, 2026.

The death of Hidma and the surrender of other Maoist leaders have come as a major setback to the central committee of the CPI (Maoist). Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said that Hidma's death has strengthened efforts to restore peace in Bastar and reiterated the government's commitment to making India free of Naxal violence by March 2026.

While challenges remain, the recent successes against Naxal leaders and the government's multi-pronged approach indicate a positive trajectory towards ending Naxalism in India.