New Delhi: 52 Maoists, including 21 woman cadres surrendered in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, police said on Thursday, January 15. The members of the outlawed group turned themselves in before senior officials of police and the Central Reserve Police Force, announcing their return to the mainstream.
The surrendered Maoists were active in South Sub Zonal Bureau and other units of the proscribed Maoist group. 49 among them were carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 1.41 crore, as announced by the state. They have been provided with financial assistance, as provisioned in the state’s rehabilitation policy.
The surrender took place under the ‘Poona Margem’ – ‘From Rehabilitation to Rebirth’ initiative of the government. Those returned to the mainstream were impressed by rehabilitation scheme launched by the government.
4 among the surrendered Naxalites, including a divisional committee member were carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh each with 13 others carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh each. With the latest inclusion, over 800 Maoists have so far announced to give up arms before security officials in Bijapur district since 2024.
A day earlier, a group of 29 lower-rung Maoist cadres had also surrendered before officials in neighbouring Sukma district on Wednesday. The surrender took place days after security forces established a key forward operating base in Gogunda region of Sukma.
Praising the development, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in a post on social media, said that the success of rehabilitation campaign proves government’s firm policy, sensitive approach and development based trust.
CM Sai added that the distorted ideology of Maoists and their support system has been now completely dismantled in Bastar. He emphasised that the resolve for Naxal-free India by March 2026 is rapidly moving towards its decisive goal under Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi.
A day earlier, CM Sai in a separate post had said that ‘development, not violence is the future.’ He further had underscored, that circumstances are changing rapidly due to presence of security camps, proactive approach of administration and reach of people-friendly schemes in regions, once gripped by fear and instability.
“Our government has a clear resolve to ensure dignified life, opportunities and secured future for those willing to join the path of development and peace by shunning violence,“ added CM Sai.
Over 1500 Maoists have surrendered before authorities in insurgency-hit Bastar division of state, encompassing seven districts including Narayanpur, Sukma, Dantewada, Bastar, Kondagaon, Kanker and Bijapur.
Other than the surrender and arrests, security forces in counter-insurgency operations have neutralised over 500 Naxalites in the state in past two years.
Forces have also setup several key forward bases in remote localities, boosting their operational capabilities in regions, previously affected by red terror. The Union Government has announced to eliminate Maoist-insurgency from India, by March 2026.
