Dantewada: In a significant success for the security forces, as many as 12 Maoists including 9 carrying rewards have surrendered before the officials in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.
The surrendered took place before Superintendent of Police (SP), Dantewada Gaurav Rai under the ‘Lone Varatu’ (an appeal for home coming in Gondi) campaign. Those who laid weapons included of 4 female Maoists.
Nine of the surrendered Maoists were carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 28.50 lakh, said officials. One of the surrendered Naxals has been identified as Chandranna, a seasoned Maoist carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh.
The others who were carrying bounty on their heads have been identified as Amit alias Hunga carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh, Karuna, Rajesh Madkam, Deva kawasi, Paike Oyaam, Raju and Mahesh.
Those who announced their return to the mainstream were disgruntled with the hollow ideology of Naxals and discrimination faced by them in day to day activities.
With the fresh addition on Wednesday, the tally of surrendered Maoist under the flagship Lone Varatu campaign has crossed over thousand. According to officials, a total of 1005 Maoists have announced their re-integration into the mainstream under the campaign with over 200 of them carrying bounties on their heads.
It is worth mentioning here that security forces have amped up anti-Maoist campaign in Bastar’s hinterlands and Naxal-hit adjoining regions, neutralising over 400 Maoists in separate encounters.
The security measures undertaken by the government backed by development works being carried out on a war footing in areas previously marred by red terror has given a beacon of hope to residents alongside encouraging local Maoist cadres to give up arms and join the mainstream.
Read more at: Ground Report: Bastar breathes free from Naxal
A surge in surrender have been noted in the previously violence-ridden Bastar division with surrender of over 800 former Maoists who laid down weapon, prioritising development and peace over the path of violence in the year 2024 alone. Notably, the Union Government has announced to eradicate the Maoist-insurgency from Bharat by March next year.
