Raipur: As many as 10 Maoists carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 33 lakhs surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, police said on December 12. The group included of 6 women cadres.
The surrender took place before senior officials of the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) under the Poona Margem (From Rehabilitation to Social Reintegration) initiative.
According to details shared by officials, one of the surrendered member Midiam Bhima was active as a platoon commander and carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakhs. The other Naxals who announced to join the mainstream were identified as Shanti, Ganga, Lekam Rama and Tati, all carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh each. The remaining 4 Maoist operatives were all carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh each.
With the latest addition, the number of Maoists who have parted ways with the Maoist’s group this year in the district has reached to 263, informed Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan.
The group also surrender weapons including an AK-47, two Semi Loading Rifles (SLRs), a Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL) and a stan gun, he added.
An additional reward of Rs 8 lakh was announced against the surrendered weapon.
“We are committed to eradicating Naxalism and ensuring peace in the region. Security forces are carrying out various operations in this regard. As a result Naxalites are surrendering and joining the mainstream,” said Bastar IG P. Sunderraj.
The development arrives on the heels of four hardcore Maoists joining the mainstream in Kanker district on Wednesday and surrender of two senior Maoist operatives in Balaghat of neighbouring Madhya Pradesh on Thursday.
Notably, a major turnaround was noted in the state’s Maoist-hit Bastar division with around 2400 Naxals shunning the path of violence and joining the mainstream in the past two years. Officials opine that the massive surge in surrender reflects that the state’s initiative towards achieving lasting peace in the region is gaining significant momentum.
