Raipur: As security forces have tightened grip on the remaining strongholds of outlawed CPI-Maoist in Chhattisgarh, a surge in surrender by the local members of the group has been noted in recent times.
On May 13, a lot of 14 such lower-rung cadres of the group lay down weapons before the police in Sukma, expressing disillusionment with the Maoist’s ideology.
According to the police, a total of 14 cadres including 5 female member of the group surrender in Sukma district, exuding confidence in the ‘Surrender Cum Victim Rehabilitation Policy’ announced by the state government recently.
A total of 8 among the 14 Maoists who joined the mainstream on Tuesday were carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh each as announced by the state government, said Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP), Kiran Chouhan.
“They were inspired by the Niyad Nellanar scheme being run by the state government, they were all members of various area committees and other affiliates of the Maoist group. They will be provided with the benefits of various welfare schemes being run by the government. They will also be benefited by the Surrender Cum Victim Rehabilitation Policy of the state government,” he added.
#Chhattisgarh: Fourteen Maoists have surrendered in the Sukma district. Five women are also among those who surrendered. A total reward of Rs 16 lakh was declared on eight of these #Maoists. All the surrendered maoists were given an incentive amount of Rs 50,000 each under the… pic.twitter.com/uCjwa1nbEo
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) May 13, 2025
Chouhan further made an appeal to all the Maoists who are still holding guns to surrender and join the mainstream. Those who have surrender will be provided with an immediate financial assistance of Rs 50000 each.
The development occurred almost a fortnight after another lot of 24 Maoists lay down weapons in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. The surrendered cadres were carrying a collective reward of Rs 28 lakhs.
This followed another lot of 22 Maoists announcing their disassociation with the proscribed group in Sukma on April 18.
“The surrendered Maoists hail from Maad (Chhattisgarh) and Nuapada (Odisha) divisions. They will be given all the benefits provided by the government. “There are Maoists of different ranks who have surrendered. Some Naxalites have a bounty of Rs5 lakhs, while others have a bounty of Rs8 lakhs,” Sukma SP said.
Earlier a Maoist couple carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 16 lakh had also surrender before the police in Kondagaon district. The duo were identified as Ratan Singh alias Nancy and his wife Punaye Achal alias Hironda, both carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh each. They were both residents of Kanker district and were reported to be involved in carrying out various unlawful activities on behalf of the outlawed Maoist outfit.
It is worth mentioning here that more than 450 Maoist cadres have so far surrendered before the police in Chhattisgarh since January this year alone, signaling a major turn around in insurgency-hit remote areas of the state earlier dominated by the banned Maoist group.
