In the state of Chhattisgarh, the Maoist organisation that was once thought to be an unbeatable stronghold is beginning to disintegrate. In this sequence, a total of 30 cadres, including female cadres of the banned CPI Maoist, surrendered before the authorities in Bijapur district on Tuesday, May 14.
According to the details received, the surrender took place before the officials of the district police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and District Reserve Guard (DRG) where the Maoist cadres joined the mainstream citing disappointment with the violent ideology of the extremist. Those who have surrendered includes of a total of 9 Maoist cadres who were carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs39 lakhs on their heads.
Briefing the media on the development, Superintendent of Police (SP), Bijapur, Jitendra Yadav said that “a total of 30 Maoists surrendered today with the cumulative efforts of the district police, CRPF, DRG and Special Task Force (STF).
Those who have surrendered were fed up with the Maoist ideology; hence, they decided to join the mainstream by laying down arms under the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, added SP, Yadav.
The SP further informed that those who have laid down arms include members of People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) battalion no 1, platoon no. 04 and other platoons. Other than that, the surrender cadres also includes of president of Dandkaranya Adivasi Kisan Mazdoor Sangh (DAKMS), and head of the Jantana Sarkar.
The surrendered cadres were involved in many incidents and were carrying a collective cash rewards of 39 lakhs announced on them by the government, added SP, Yadav.
बीजापुर में 30 नक्सलियों के साथ 9 इनामी नक्सली ने किया सरेंडर… DIG CRPF, SP के सामने डाले हथियार… इस साल 76 नक्सलियों ने किया सरेंडर। #Naxal #Bijapur pic.twitter.com/BoBBfUlI9v
— News18 MadhyaPradesh (@News18MP) May 14, 2024
All of the surrendered Maoists have been provided with a financial aid of Rs 25000 each as part of the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy. The surrender marks its significance as it has occurred days after the forces in a major operation gunned down a dozen Maoist in the Bijapur district on May 10.
It must be noted that a significant number of the former Maoists have turned themselves before the authorities and surrendered, citing disgruntlement with the outlawed outfit in recent months.
As of now, more than hundred Maoists have laid down arms, citing disappointment with the ideology of the extremist in this year alone. Those who have surrendered includes of a significant number of female Maoist cadres who have parted ways with the banned group citing discrimination and exploitation.
Other than the surrenders, the security forces have also amplified targeted operations in the Maoist den of Abujhmaad and down south regions of the Bastar division of the State. A total of 103 Maoist have been killed so far in separate operations launched by the forces in the State in this year alone.
Additionally, the forces during separate search operations carried out in the Maoist affected hinterlands have also nabbed more than 150 members of the Maoist outfit since January this year.
It is noteworthy that the Union Home Minister during the recent election campaign has time and again reiterated that the security forces are on the verge of eliminating the Maoist menace from the country and the State of Chhattisgarh will also be declared an insurgency free zone in the next few years.
