RAIPUR: As many as four hardcore Maoists, including two female cadres turned themselves in before senior officials of the police and surrendered in Naxal-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, officials said on January 30. The surrendered cadres were all carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, as announced by the government.
The surrender took place under the Poona Margem (From Rehabilitation to Rebirth), a government initiative aimed at encouraging surrender of Maoists, before senior police officials including Bastar Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sundarraj P.
Those who laid down weapons were active in the Kistaram, Golapalli and Konta Area Committees of the proscribed group. The Naxalites also submitted weapons, including an INSAS rifle, a three not three rifle, a Semi-Loading Rifle (SLR) and a .315 rifle.
All of the surrendered Naxalites were provided with a copy of ‘Indian Constitution’ each. They will be given benefits of the government’s scheme and rehabilitated. The officials on the occasion also called upon the remaining Maoists to give up arms and return to mainstream.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai meets ITBP personnel at Narayanpur
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday met and interacted with the personnel of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Narayanpur district. The CM during his visit also inaugurated development projects worth Rs 351 crore in the Naxal-affected region.
Interacting with media personnel, CM Sai lauded the cultural fests and sports competitions being organised in Bastar region which was long marred by Maoist-insuregncy.
“Today, on this sacred land of Narayanpur, development projects worth Rs 351 crore have been inaugurated and their foundation stones laid… Many congratulations and best wishes to all district residents on this. The Bastar Pandum festival was also organised… The government wants to preserve the culture, civilisation, dance, and music of our tribal community. This festival has been organised since last year. President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the Bastar Pandum at the divisional level, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the closing ceremony. The Bastar Olympics were also organised. The people of this region are continuously joining the mainstream of development… Today, the 24th instalment of the Mahtari Vandana Yojana has been released…” CM Vishnu Deo Sai told reporters.
CM Sai also attended the wedding ceremony of surrendered Naxalites being organised under the ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojna’. The CM highlighted the deadline announced by the Union Home Minister to completely eliminate Naxalism and appealed to Maoists to abandon violence, give up arms and join the mainstream of development.
It is worth mentioning here, that security forces including the ITBP have established many key security camps or the Company Operating Bases (COBs) at strategic locations in Bastar which encompasses the densely forested pockets of Abujhmad, adjoining the Maharashtra border.
The establishment of these bases have enabled security forces to dominate over remote localities dealing a major blow to Maoist’s network. The camps have also led to enhanced surveillance and boosted the operational capabilities of the security forces in inaccessible region like Abujhmad. The Union Government has announced to eliminate red terror by March this year.
