The Chhattisgarh police have achieved a significant success with the surrender of a Maoist couple, carrying a substantial combined bounty of Rs 13 lakh, in Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district. The 25-year-old couple, deeply entrenched in the outlawed CPI (Maoist) network spanning Bastar’s Maad Division and the Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh (MMC) region, surrendered weapons and chose to embrace the state’s rehabilitation policy. Their involvement in Maoist activities included vital functions like cadre recruitment and providing logistical support in the challenging terrains bordering three states. According to police records, the male cadre, known as ‘Munna,’ had a Rs 7 lakh reward, while his partner ‘Julie’ was sought with a Rs 6 lakh bounty. This development is being hailed by police officials as a critical advancement in their efforts to curb Maoist influence. Lakshya Sharma, Superintendent of Police, stated that the couple was motivated by the consistent security crackdowns and the promising rehabilitation framework offered by the government. They are scheduled to undergo de-radicalisation and vocational training, with provisions for immediate financial relief and ongoing support for their new lives. The surrender is emblematic of a broader wave of defections, with over 2,200 Maoist cadres abandoning armed struggle in Chhattisgarh over the past 23 months. This trend is bolstered by a comprehensive government strategy combining stringent security measures, public outreach, and beneficial programs like housing and skill development under the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme. The couple’s decision highlights increasing disillusionment within Maoist ranks and the erosion of their support base.
