Security forces in Chhattisgarh have achieved a significant victory in their fight against Naxalism, with 29 Naxals surrendering in Dantewada and Narayanpur. One of the surrendered Naxals carried a reward of ₹55 lakh. The Naxals surrendered, laying down their arms before security forces. The breakdown of surrenders shows 21 in Dantewada and 8 in Narayanpur. The 13 Naxals who surrendered in Dantewada were collectively under a bounty of ₹25.50 lakh.
The eight Naxals who surrendered in Narayanpur had a combined reward value of ₹30 lakh. Among the prominent individuals who surrendered were Sukhlal Jurri, Himanshu Midiyam, Kamla Gota, and Raju Podiyam. Under the government’s rehabilitation policy, the surrendered Naxals have been given ₹50,000 in financial assistance and other benefits.
The surge in surrenders, encompassing 29 Naxals across Dantewada and Narayanpur, is seen as a direct consequence of ongoing anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and the positive impact of development programs like Niyad Nellanar. These initiatives are believed to have fostered a climate of fear among the Naxals, prompting them to abandon their cause. Official figures indicate that over the past 18 months, Dantewada has witnessed the surrender of more than 390 Naxals, including 99 who were carrying rewards.
This year alone, Narayanpur district has seen a total of 148 Naxals surrender to security forces. The surrendered Naxals face accusations of engaging in various offenses, including attacks on police teams and involvement in actions such as road-digging, tree-felling, and the display of Naxal banners and posters during Naxal bandh weeks.
Last August, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the nation would be free of Naxalism by March 2026 at a function in Raipur. Shah noted that significant actions had been taken to combat Naxalism since the BJP government came to power in Chhattisgarh. He highlighted the fact that from December 2023, 2,619 Naxals were either arrested, surrendered or eliminated. He also stated there had been a 70% drop in deaths related to Naxal violence and that several states are now free from Naxal influence.