Last Maoist Central Committee Member Asim Mandal Arrested in West Bengal After 15 Years
· India · Hindustan Times, Indian Express
Asim Mandal, the last surviving member of the Maoist central committee, was arrested in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district after evading law enforcement for 15 years. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the West Bengal Police’s operational competence, stating that the arrest was made possible through sharp technical intelligence. Mandal’s capture follows the recent arrest of Maoist Politburo member Misir Besra in Jharkhand, signaling a significant blow to the remaining Maoist network. The state government has vowed to dismantle any attempt to revive extremist activities, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah declaring in Parliament that the March 31 deadline for ending Left-wing extremism had been met. Authorities report that only 18 Maoists remain at large, with 113 arrested and 50 surrendered in recent months.
Why it matters
The arrests mark a major milestone in India’s counter-insurgency efforts, reducing the Maoist threat and restoring stability in conflict-prone regions. It also sends a strong message against extremist ideologies and reinforces the government’s commitment to development and security in affected areas.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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