Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district has witnessed a significant stride against Naxalism with the surrender of 41 Maoist cadres, including 12 women. The collective bounty on 32 of these individuals amounted to a staggering Rs 1.19 crore, highlighting the high-profile nature of the surrendered insurgents. They laid down their arms before senior police officials on Wednesday, signaling a desire to embrace a peaceful existence.
Authorities attribute this mass surrender to the effectiveness of the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, alongside the Bastar police’s ‘Poona Margham’ (meaning ‘road to return’) campaign. This drive aims to encourage disillusioned cadres to abandon violence and reintegrate into society with dignity and security.
The surrendered group represented a broad spectrum of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit. A large contingent of 39 cadres was associated with the South Sub-Zonal Bureau, involved in operations under the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, Telangana State Committee, and divisions like Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada. Their former responsibilities varied from battalion operations to platoon command and militia work.
The substantial bounties reflect their seniority. Nine Maoists were each worth Rs 8 lakh, with others carrying Rs 5 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh bounties. As a gesture of support and to facilitate their transition, each surrendering cadre received an immediate financial incentive of Rs 50,000. This recent event adds to a growing trend, with Bijapur recording the surrender of 790 Maoist cadres since January 2024, a testament to the ongoing success of deradicalization efforts.