Sukma: In another notable success for police in Maoist-hit Sukma district, as many as 23 seasoned Maoists have surrendered before the authorities on July 12.
The group who laid down arms on Saturday was carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 1.18 crore, informed officials. “They were all identified as hardcore Naxalites,” they added.
“23 Naxalites have surrendered. All are hardcore Naxalites. They will be provided with facilities as per the government policy. On this occasion, I appeal to all Naxalites to lay down their arms and join the mainstream,” said Superintendent of Police (SP) Sukma, Kiran Chouhan.
As many as 8 of the surrendered cadres were from the People’s Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA) battalion no 1, the strongest unit of the unlawful Maoist group. The group comprises of nine female cadres.
As per the details, one of the Maoists who surrendered arms on Saturday was identified as divisional committee member Lokesh alias Podiyam Bhima, a seasoned Maoist carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh on his head.
Lokesh was said to be the commander of south sub-zonal bureau of the outlawed group. He was also involved in the abduction of the then collector of Sukma, Alex Paul Menon in April 2012.
Menon was abducted by the armed Maoists when he had gone for inspection of a government project in Kerlapal area of Sukma district. He was taken to forests and kept in custody for around two weeks before the Maoists eventually set him free.
Lokesh was also said to be part of the Burkapal attack (2017) and Tekalagudem attack (2021) carried out by the outlaws. Other than Lokesh, 6 PPCM and 4 ACM rank cadres have also announced their disassociation with proscribed group.
Among the surrendered lot, 11 were carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh each on their heads, as announced by the state government. They will be provided with benefits of surrender policy.
According to officials, those returned to the mainstream were inspired by the Niyad Nelanar scheme and the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state government.
Officials on the occasion informed that forces have been strengthening their presence in interiors of Bastar by opening security camps which has panicked the Maoists, leading to their surrender.
String of surrender in Bastar
Notably, a surge in surrender of Maoists have been noted lately in Maoist-infested Bastar division of the state with over 55 Naxals making return to the mainstream within a week only.
Significantly over 1400 Maoists have given up arms by joining mainstream since December 2023, marking a significant turnaround in Bastar’s hinterlands.
Earlier 22 Naxals have also surrendered before the officials in Narayanpur district on July 11. According to police, the surrendered cadres were carrying a collective reward of Rs 37. 50 lakhs.
Most of the Maoists who returned to the mainstream on Friday were members of the Kutul, and Nelnar area committees of the Maoist group active in Abujhmad and Indravati region.
A dozen Maoists including 9 carrying rewards had also parted ways with the banned group in Dantewada on July 9 under the flagship ‘Lone Varatu’ (an appeal for home coming in Gondi) campaign.
Those who parted ways with the outfit were disgruntled with the hollow ideology of Naxals and discrimination faced by them in the group.
Security forces have intensified anti-Maoist campaign in Bastar’s hinterlands, neutralising hundreds of extremists including top cadres in separate encounters. Continuous operations in interior regions, earlier identified as core Maoist zones have pushed the Maoists on the backfoot.
The government has also paced up development works along side providing benefits of government run welfare schemes under the Niyad Nelanar, inspiring local cadres to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.
