A group of 120 former Naxals, fresh from surrender, stepped into Chhattisgarh’s legislative heart on Friday, viewing proceedings from the gallery. This symbolic tour, featuring Jhiram attack veterans, illustrates shifting tides in the state’s long war on left-wing extremism.
Headliners included top Maoist Rupesh (Rs 1 crore prize) and Chaitu (Rs 25 lakh), both tied to the 2013 ambush that decimated Congress leadership. Surrendering en masse in Jagdalpur three months back, they now seek redemption through reintegration.
During the session, they saw opposition grill the government, bills debated passionately, and policies shaped in real-time. CM Vishnu Dev Sai rallied them towards societal embrace, pledging unwavering aid for new beginnings.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma set the tone with an intimate dinner at his Nava Raipur abode the eve before. Amidst cheers, garlands, and home-cooked meals, he connected personally—empathizing with hardships, troubleshooting problems, and inspiring urban adaptation.
Security was meticulous as the buoyant group entered post-dawn. Their presence affirms rehabilitation’s efficacy, bridging divides forged in violence. Chhattisgarh’s model of compassionate counter-insurgency is gaining momentum, potentially inspiring similar successes elsewhere in India.