In a powerful display of de-escalation, 41 Naxalite cadres, comprising 12 women, surrendered in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. This mass surrender is particularly notable as 32 of the individuals were wanted, with a combined reward of Rs 1.19 crore declared on their heads. The rebels laid down their arms before senior police authorities, seeking a path to reintegration.
According to Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, the decision to surrender was influenced by the government’s progressive rehabilitation policies and the ‘Poona Margham’ initiative. This Bastar police program is designed to offer former insurgents a chance to rebuild their lives and become contributing members of society. The surrendered cadres have pledged their commitment to the Indian Constitution.
The composition of the surrendered group reflects various ranks and responsibilities within the outlawed CPI (Maoist) party. The ranks included members from elite PLGA battalions, area committee operatives, platoon leaders, and militia commanders. A significant contingent of 39 cadres belonged to the south sub-zonal bureau, with ties to influential regional committees and divisions across the affected areas.
The substantial bounty underscores the former importance of these individuals in the Naxalite movement. Nine key figures, such as Lakkhu Korsa and Mangali Madvi alias Shanti, were individually rewarded with Rs 8 lakh each. The total bounty highlights the scale of their wanted status, with additional rewards of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh distributed among others.
Since January 1, 2024, Bijapur district has seen an impressive 790 Maoist cadres surrender. This figure is part of a broader state-wide trend, with over 2,200 Naxalites having surrendered in Chhattisgarh over the last 23 months. Police continue to urge remaining cadres to abandon violence and avail themselves of the rehabilitation opportunities to secure a peaceful future.