In a major victory against Maoist insurgency, 15 armed Naxals, including nine women, laid down their weapons in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district on Saturday. This significant surrender has dealt a severe blow to Naxal operations along the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.
The group, affiliated with the Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund committee, handed over an impressive cache of modern weaponry. Among the arms were three AK-47 rifles, two self-loading rifles (SLR), and two Indian Small Arms System rifles. These cadres, who carried a combined bounty of around Rs 73 lakh on their heads, chose the path of rehabilitation under the state’s policy.
Chhattisgarh Home Minister Vijay Sharma hailed the development on social media, sharing images of the surrender ceremony. He credited the Vishnu Dev government’s rehabilitation initiatives and good governance efforts, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, for bringing these misguided youths back to the mainstream.
Key figure Vikas alias Babanna, a state committee member, was among those who surrendered. Sharma emphasized that relentless pressure from security forces, coupled with development works in remote areas and effective rehabilitation policies, prompted this move.
Police sources revealed that the surrendered individuals included members from the BBM division’s divisional committee, area committee, and party-level ranks. The state government has assured comprehensive support, including security, healthcare, and vocational training, to help them reintegrate into society.
This event underscores a rising trend of surrenders in Chhattisgarh. Officials report a sharp increase since 2024, with thousands of Naxals and their supporters abandoning armed struggle. The state aims to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026, and such milestones bolster that ambition.
As peace initiatives gain momentum, these former insurgents represent hope for a violence-free future in India’s heartland, where development and dialogue are proving stronger than bullets.