Gadchiroli: In a major breakthrough for security forces in Maoist-hit Gadchiroli of Maharashtra, as many as 11 hardcore Maoists including 4 female cadres have surrendered before officials, police said on December 10. The surrender took place before Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla.
All those who laid down weapons were senior Naxal cadres, active in the bordering regions of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. They were carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 82 lakhs on their heads as announced by the state government.
While announcing their return to the mainstream, the group members also surrender weapons. They were each presented with a copy of Bharatiya constitution.
#WATCH | Maharashtra | Eleven hardcore senior naxal cadres surrendered before Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla in Gadchiroli, today. The Maharashtra Government had announced a total cash reward of Rs 82 Lakhs cumulatively on their arrest.
(Video source: Gadchiroli Police) pic.twitter.com/FHiyHlyNqc
— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025
A dozen Maoists belonging to Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MCC) zone had also surrendered before officials in Gadchiroli on November 29. Those who laid down arms included of special zonal committee member and MMC zone spokesperson Vikas Nagpure alias Anant and divisional committee member Nagasu Golu Wadde.
The surrendered Maoists were active across multiple districts and involved in several major acts of violence, recruitment drive and extortion on behalf of the banned Maoist’s outfit, informed officials. They were carrying a collective reward of Rs 89 lakhs.
Earlier on December 8, central committee member and head of the Maoist’s MCC zone, Ramdher also surrendered before Chhattisgarh police in Rajnandgaon district. Other than Ramdher, 11 hardcore Naxals of his group also announced to part ways with the Maoist’s ideology.
A seasoned Maoist, Ramdher is considered an expert in planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). He was involved in multiple major encounters and facing 61 criminal cases. A reward of Rs 1.05 crore was announced on him.
With surrender of senior Naxals Ramdher, Vikas Nagpure and Kabir who recently laid down arms before police in Madhya Pradesh, the MMC zone of Maoists is almost cleaned up from Maoist’s presence.
Security forces have firmed their presence in the bordering regions of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh by establishing a number of strategic security camps such as in Nelangur and Fulnar.
Recently, a team of Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP) along with the state police also established a key Company Operating Base (COB) at Lanka in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh. The camp is located at a distance of only 3km from Maharashtra border.
The densely forested pocket was once frequently used by Maoists for inter-state movement between Abujhamd in Chhattisgarh and Gadchiroli of Maharashtra, both highly Naxal-affected regions. Forces however have amped up operations with an aim to eliminate Maoist-insurgency within the deadline announced by the government.
