In a significant development, eight Naxalites surrendered, while two others were arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division on Saturday, according to police officials. The surrender comes as part of the ongoing efforts to weaken Maoist activities in the region.
The eight individuals, including two with a cumulative reward of ₹1 lakh, turned themselves in to senior officials in Dantewada district, citing their disillusionment with the “hollow” and “inhuman” Maoist ideology. They also mentioned the growing rift within the banned outfit as a key reason for their decision to abandon the group. Furthermore, they expressed their support for the Chhattisgarh government’s ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, designed to facilitate development works in remote villages around security camps.
Among the surrendered Naxals were Mangdu Madkam and Deva Ram Kunjam, who were active members of the Chetna Natya Mandli faction of the outlawed group. Both men carried a reward of ₹50,000 each on their heads. These individuals, along with the other surrendering Naxals, were involved in various activities such as digging roads, installing anti-government posters, and other violent acts linked to Maoist operations in the area.
In accordance with the state government’s policy, the surrendered Naxalites were each provided ₹50,000 in assistance and will be rehabilitated under the ongoing government initiatives aimed at reintegrating former militants into society.
Since the launch of the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign in June 2020, aimed at encouraging Naxals to join the mainstream, a total of 961 Naxalites have surrendered in the district, including 226 who were on the police’s most-wanted list.
In a separate operation, two other Naxals, identified as Kuhram Hadma and Barse Hidma, were apprehended in neighbouring Sukma district. Hadma, a militia commander in the Surpanguda Revolutionary People’s Committee of the Maoists, carried a reward of ₹2 lakh. Hidma, also a member of the group, was involved in an attack on security personnel in a market in Jagargunda in 2024, during which firearms were snatched from the jawans.
Earlier that day, three Naxalites, one of whom carried a ₹5 lakh reward, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district. This ongoing series of operations signals the government’s continued commitment to tackling Maoist insurgency and ensuring the safety of its citizens in conflict-prone areas.
These recent developments highlight a growing trend of surrender and increased law enforcement activity in the Bastar region as the state works toward reducing the influence of Maoist insurgents.
Sources By Agencies
