A significant number of 41 Naxalites, comprising 12 women, laid down their arms and surrendered in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. The impact of this event is amplified by the fact that 32 of the surrendered cadres were collectively carrying rewards totaling Rs 1.19 crore on their heads, underscoring their prominence within the outlawed group.
District Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav highlighted that the cadres were motivated to surrender due to the state government’s effective new surrender and rehabilitation policy, as well as the Bastar range police’s ‘Poona Margham’ initiative aimed at social reintegration. These programs offer a clear path for cadres to return to a normal life.
The surrendered individuals held various operational roles. Their ranks included members from PLGA battalion no.1, different Maoist companies, area committees, and militia units. Crucially, 39 of these cadres were part of the south sub-zonal bureau, with strong ties to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, Telangana State Committee, and regional divisions like Dhamtari–Gariaband–Nuapada.
The substantial monetary value attached to these individuals, with nine carrying Rs 8 lakh each, reflects their past contributions to the Naxal movement. The total bounty highlights the operational significance of this group. The surrendered cadres have committed to upholding the Indian Constitution and leading law-abiding lives.
As per the state’s rehabilitation policy, each surrendered member received an initial incentive of Rs 50,000. This surrender is part of an ongoing trend, with the Bijapur district alone recording 790 Maoist cadre surrenders since January 2024, indicating a weakening hold of the insurgency in the region.