Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district witnessed a significant shift on Wednesday as 41 Naxalite cadres, including 12 women, surrendered. The group’s surrender is especially impactful due to the considerable bounty placed on many of them, with 32 individuals carrying a combined reward of Rs 1.19 crore. They presented themselves to senior police officials, signaling a desire to leave behind their insurgent past.
Authorities attribute this mass surrender to the encouraging results of the government’s dedicated surrender and rehabilitation policy, alongside the ‘Poona Margham’ drive initiated by the Bastar range police. This initiative focuses on social reintegration and provides a pathway for cadres to lead lawful lives. The surrendered individuals have affirmed their belief in the Constitution and a democratic lifestyle.
The surrendered Naxalites held various positions within the banned CPI (Maoist) organization. Their ranks included members of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), individuals from area committees, platoon members, and militia commanders. A striking 39 of the 41 cadres were linked to the south sub-zonal bureau, operating under the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, Telangana State Committee, and other key divisions.
The financial incentive attached to these cadres was substantial. Nine individuals, such as Pando Madkam alias Chandni and Jairam Kadiyam, were each designated with an Rs 8 lakh bounty. The collective bounty of Rs 1.19 crore reflects the high-ranking positions and threat level associated with these surrendered Maoists. Further rewards were distributed among other cadres.
This event contributes to a broader trend in the region. In Bijapur alone, 790 Maoist cadres have surrendered since the start of 2024. This latest group joins a significant number of individuals who have chosen to abandon armed struggle and integrate into society, with over 2,200 surrenders recorded across Chhattisgarh in the past 23 months.