In a development pointing to the near-collapse of Maoist influence in the tri-junction region, the Maharashtra&ndash;Madhya Pradesh&ndash;Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zonal Committee of the banned CPI (Maoist) has announced plans for a collective laying down of arms on January 1, 2026.
In a detailed statement, MMC Zone spokesperson &lsquo;Anant&rsquo; said cadres across the entire zone would jointly opt for what he described as &ldquo;Poonamargam&rdquo;, or the rehabilitation route, rather than individual surrender. Separate letters conveying the proposal have been sent to the Chief Ministers of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
The communication urges the three state governments to immediately suspend anti&ndash;Left Wing Extremism operations, announce the most favourable rehabilitation package, and ensure safe passage for cadres. The spokesperson stated that the zone will align with whichever state government offers the most respectful and beneficial terms.
Signalling the seriousness of the move, the MMC Zone has cancelled its annual PLGA Week celebrations this year and directed members not to surrender individually. Instead, cadres have been asked to wait for coordinated action at the start of the new year.
Anant stressed that the decision to lay down arms should not be seen as abandonment of ideology but as a strategic necessity, citing unfavourable conditions for armed struggle at present. To maintain coordination, he has released a radio communication frequency and instructed cadres to check in daily during December 2025 leading up to January 1.
Security agencies across the three states have confirmed receiving the communication, calling it the strongest sign yet of severe demoralisation and disintegration within Maoist ranks following sustained anti-insurgency operations and multiple high-profile surrenders in 2025. Officials said a coordinated response is under consideration.
The announcement comes shortly after several senior leaders from the MMC and DKSZC zones were either neutralised or surrendered, leaving only a small number of armed operatives in what was once a key Maoist stronghold. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

MMC Maoists Plan Mass Surrender on Jan 1, 2026

MMC Zone seeks rehab package, halts operations, signals collapse of tri-junction Maoist

MMC Maoists Plan Mass Surrender on Jan 1, 2026

MMC Zone seeks rehab package, halts operations, signals collapse of tri-junction Maoist

November 28, 2025 | 19:48 IST