Devuji & Ganesh Ukey: Tracing The Last Shadows Of Naxalism’s Closing Chapter In India

After the elimination of top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, security forces are close to the finish line to end Naxalism from the country.

Hidma’s fall has triggered a psychological unravelling within an

already fractured organisation and now, security forces say two ageing commanders remain the final symbolic pillars of the CPI (Maoist) structure.

Devuji—the ideological veteran whose influence once shaped regional strategy and also a key player in the military wing—and Ganesh Ukey, the administrative mind who kept zonal committees functioning during the insurgency’s peak, are said to be increasingly immobile, battling chronic ailments, and reliant on shrinking circles of loyal cadres. Their presence is less about command and more about holding together the last embers of an insurgency that has lost territory, manpower, and public support.

As forces close in and intelligence networks tighten, officials describe this moment as the “final nail in the coffin” for a movement that once seemed unending. The intelligence gathering of late may soon result in operations against the two leaders. It is also expected that after the two leaders are brought to justice, there will be a massive round of surrender of state-level committee members.

After Hidma: A Turning Point In The Insurgency

The encounter that resulted in Hidma’s death marked one of the most significant counter-insurgency achievements in years. Long considered the mastermind behind several of the Maoists’ deadliest ambushes, Hidma’s operational acumen was unmatched within the organisation. His death shattered the command hierarchy and created an internal vacuum the group has been unable to fill. With his loss, the Maoists have been reduced from a coordinated force to scattered clusters operating without unified military leadership.

Devuji: The Ageing Ideologue Holding A Fragmented Legacy

Devuji, now in his mid-sixties, represents the last generation of the classical Maoist ideologues who joined the movement when it was politically charged and organisationally rigid. Though once a key figure across multiple committees, his influence today is symbolic. He struggles with limited mobility and remains confined to narrow forested zones. Field intelligence suggests he plays more of a spiritual-ideological role for cadres who still view him as a link to the movement’s origins, but he no longer directs meaningful operations.

Ganesh Ukey: The Diminishing Organiser Of A Crumbling Structure

In contrast, Ganesh Ukey rose as an administrator, responsible for communication channels, logistics, and finances across key divisions. But years of living underground have taken a toll. He suffers from chronic health issues, requires support while walking, and travels with a tight ring of protection cadres, including women operatives trained for concealment. His shrinking mobility has severely restricted the Maoists’ ability to coordinate or sustain field activity. What once functioned as an organised zonal network is now reduced to isolated cells dependent on his intermittent guidance.

The Final Breath

The fate of Devuji and Ganesh Ukey will mirror the end of Naxalism. Recruitment has nearly collapsed, territorial control has evaporated, and surrenders have surged across multiple states. Communities once fearful now report increasing stability, aided by improved security presence and developmental projects reaching remote interior areas. The CPI (Maoist) is no longer an insurgent force—only an ageing symbol kept alive by a few scattered holdouts.

Security officials say the conclusion is now inevitable. With the fall of Hidma and focus of forces on Devuji and Ukey, the Maoist movement is experiencing its terminal phase. Neutralising or securing the surrender of the last two senior figures would dissolve the final threads of the CPI (Maoist) command. After half-a-century of conflict, India stands closer than ever to closing this chapter and witnessing the quiet end of one of its most persistent insurgencies.