In a significant blow to the Naxal movement in Chhattisgarh, 41 cadres, including 12 women, surrendered in the Bijapur district. The group’s surrender is particularly noteworthy as 32 of them were listed as wanted individuals with a substantial combined bounty of Rs 1.19 crore on their heads. This mass defection is attributed to the effectiveness of government rehabilitation schemes and the persistent efforts of security forces.
The surrendered rebels were integral to the South Sub-Zonal Bureau of the banned CPI (Maoist) party, with affiliations to key committees like the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee and the Telangana State Committee. They laid down their weapons before senior police officials, expressing their intent to reintegrate into society and lead lawful lives.
Under the state’s rehabilitation policy, each surrendered cadre receives immediate financial assistance. The individual bounties ranged significantly, with nine individuals carrying Rs 8 lakh each, and many others with substantial rewards. The ‘Poona Margham’ drive, aimed at social reintegration, has been instrumental in encouraging these surrenders. This development contributes to a broader trend, as Bijapur has seen 790 Naxal cadres abandon violence and join the mainstream since January 2024, with thousands more surrendering across Chhattisgarh in recent years.