New Delhi: Twenty-eight Maoists, including 19 women, surrendered in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, marking another significant step in the ongoing efforts to reduce extremist activity in the Bastar region. Officials confirmed that 22 of them carried a combined bounty of Rs 89 lakh.
The group surrendered before senior police officers, stating that they were influenced by the state government’s Niyad Nellanar scheme, which focuses on accelerating development in remote areas, and by the new surrender and rehabilitation policy. They also acknowledged the impact of Poona Margham, a rehabilitation initiative by the Bastar police aimed at social reintegration.
Among those who laid down arms were four hardcore cadres: Pandi Dhruv alias Dinesh, a Divisional Committee member, along with Dule Mandavi alias Munni, Chhattis Poyam and Padni Oyam, all associated with the military company number 6 of the East Bastar division. Each carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh. Several others, including area committee members Lakhmu Usendi, Sukmati Nureti, Sakila Kashyap, Shambatti Shori, Chaite alias Rajita and Budhra Rava, had rewards of Rs 5 lakh each.
During the surrender, Dinesh handed over a Self Loading Rifle, while Lakhmu and Sukmatri submitted an Insas rifle and a .303 rifle respectively.
Police officials described the development as a clear indication that Maoist influence is weakening in the region, noting that more individuals are choosing peace and rehabilitation over violence. In the last 50 days alone, over 512 Maoist cadres have surrendered across the seven districts of the Bastar range.
With this latest group, Narayanpur district has recorded 287 surrenders so far this year. Authorities believe the momentum will continue, urging remaining senior cadres to abandon violence and rejoin mainstream society. According to police data, nearly 2,200 Maoists have surrendered in Chhattisgarh over the past 23 months.
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