A significant blow to Naxalite operations in Chhattisgarh has been dealt with the surrender of 28 Maoists in Narayanpur district. The scale of this surrender is amplified by the fact that 22 of the cadres carried a combined reward of Rs 89 lakh, underscoring their former importance in the movement. The group, comprising 19 women, surrendered after expressing faith in the Chhattisgarh government’s successful development and rehabilitation strategies. The state’s focus on delivering development projects to remote, conflict-affected villages through the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, and its dedicated program ‘Poona Margham’ for aiding former Maoists’ societal reintegration, were cited as key factors. Four individuals, identified as hardcore members, including Divisional Committee member Pandi Dhruv alias Dinesh and three others from Military Company No 6 of the East Bastar division, each carried an Rs 8 lakh reward. Several area committee members, with Rs 5 lakh bounties each, were also part of the surrender. The recovery of crucial weapons, an SLR, an INSAS rifle, and a .303 rifle, further demonstrates the impact of this operation. The state government has assured that all surrendered individuals will be integrated back into society through its established rehabilitation policy, providing essential support for their new beginnings.

