Red corridor
The Red corridor is the name for parts of India where Naxalite influence is strong. As of March 2025, it covers 18 districts in seven states, mainly in Central and East India.
The Naxalite–Maoist insurgency is a long-running clash between left-wing rebels and the government. It began after the 1967 Naxalbari uprising and a split in the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which created Maoist factions. These groups say they are fighting a rural rebellion and people’s war. They have been declared terrorist organisations under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The armed wing is the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army, which has attacked security forces and government workers.
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha are examples of areas in the corridor with low development and high poverty. These regions are crowded, rely mainly on farming, and many people do not own land. The movement grew from conflicts between tribal peasants and landowners over land and resource rights. Although the region has natural resources, some tribal communities supported Naxalism to push back against the state and for resource access. In areas where the state was weak and services were scarce, Naxalites sometimes provided services and acted like a parallel authority, promoting redistribution and irrigation projects. The government says Naxalites block people from accessing public services.
The insurgency peaked in the late 2000s, affecting about 180 districts, but has declined due to counter-insurgency efforts and development programs. By April 2024, 38 districts across nine states were affected. In March 2025, the Home Minister told Parliament that Naxalism was mostly limited to 18 districts, with six of them being the most affected. The corridor is mainly spread across Central and East India.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 15:55 (CET).