Madhvi Hidma Death: Nov 30 Deadline, 29-Year Pursuit & The Fall Of 'Osama Of Maoist Terror'

Madhavi

Hidma, the man long branded as the 'Osama of Maoist terror', is dead. His death brings to a close a 29-year manhunt by security forces across Chhattisgarh's 'Red Axis'. More strikingly, his elimination comes just days before the November 30 deadline set by Home Minister Amit Shah to capture or kill him.Security officials believe that the death of the Maoists' most feared military strategist could be a moment that could turn the tide once and for all. Hidma's death is being described as the breakthrough that could push India closer to its March 2026, Maoist-mukt Bharat goal.

How Hidma Was Hunted Down

Hidma, once the youngest member of the CPI (Maoist) central committee and one of its most lethal commanders, had been the hardest to nab.Shah, at one of the review meetings with security agencies, set November 30 as the deadline for Hidma to be captured or neutralised.This was just one of the many "mini-goals" the Home Minister had been setting for the security agencies to eliminate Maoism from India by March 31, 2026.

The Rise And Fall Of Hidma

Hidma, once the face of PLGA Battalion No 1, had risen from Bastar to become the Maoists' most lethal field commander. He was also the only tribal from the region to make it to the central committee.Security forces had chased him for years, but he managed to escape into the dense forests each time. Just last week, Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Vijay Sharma met Hidma's mother to appeal for his surrender. However, Hidma never surfaced.Telangana police said that Hidma later dropped "hints" of turning himself in. A local journalist in Bastar also said that Hidma had contacted him saying he was considering "surrender" and wanted help negotiating with the government. But that window closed before the talks could begin.

'A Historic Milestone Against Left Wing Extremism': Bastar IG

Bastar IG Sundarraj P said that Hidma's fall was a "historic milestone in the fight against left wing extremism". He added that with Hidma's death, the Maoist leadership had shrunk to a handful of names: Devji, Sangram, Ganesh Uikey, Ramder, along with field operatives Barse Deva and Pappa Rao.The year 2025 has already seen the deaths of some of the top Maoist leaders such as General Secretary Nambala Keshav Rao, Thentu Laxmi, Kadari Satyanarayan Reddy, Katta Ramchandra Reddy, Chalapati, etc. Others surrendered, such as politburo leader Mallujola Venugopal Rao alias Sonu, Sujata, Chandranna and Rupesh.The remaining central committee members who are still active include Ganesh Uikey, Anal Da, Malla Raji Reddy alias Sangram, and Ramder.Facing other issues such as dwindling cadre strength, ageing leaders and restricted movement, Maoism may well be approaching its final death knell.