Bijapur: As many as 17 Naxalites/Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on March 13, said officials. Those laid down arms on Thursday were carrying a collective reward of Rs 40 lakh on their heads.
Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Jitendra Kumar Yadav told reporters, “Today, 17 Naxalites have surrendered in Bijapur district. All the surrendered Naxalites were active in different capacities in the Gangaloor area committee of the outlawed Maoist organisation.”
#WATCH | Chhattisgarh | Bijapur SP Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav says, "…Today, 17 Naxalites have surrendered in the Bijapur district…All the surrendered Naxalites were active in different capacities in the Gangaloor area committee of the outlawed Maoist organisation…" https://t.co/HBX3EwJgpU pic.twitter.com/mw7n9okY3d
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2025
The development occurred a day after the incumbent state government announced a new surrender cum rehabilitation policy for those leaving violence and joining the mainstream during a cabinet meet headed by Chief Minister (CM) Vishnu Deo Sai on March 12.
“Taking a strong initiative to resolve the Maoist issue in the state, the state cabinet has approved the Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy -2025 in place of Chhattisgarh Eradication Policy 2023,” said the government in a release issued on Wednesday.
The surrender cum rehabilitation policy will provide financial assistance, education, security, rehabilitation along employment opportunities to the surrendered Maoists, it added.
The state government under the new policy aims to ensure that those shunning the path of violence can lead a life with dignity. Reacting to the development, state deputy CM Vijay Sharma said the Sai’s government is providing good opportunity to misguided people to surrender.
The deputy CM also made an appeal to Maoists to give up arms and join the mainstream. ” Our appeal to them is to give up arms and return to the mainstream of society,” he said
Notably a surge in surrender of Maoist cadres has been noted in the violence-hit state in recent time, with over 800 Naxal cadres giving up arms in the last year alone.
(With Inputs from agencies)
