In a significant development for peace in Chhattisgarh, 51 Naxalite cadres laid down their arms in Bijapur district on Wednesday. This mass surrender includes 20 individuals who collectively carried a bounty of Rs 66 lakh, highlighting the caliber of individuals choosing to return to mainstream society. Nine women cadres were among those who surrendered, signaling a growing trend of female operatives seeking rehabilitation.
The surrender was facilitated under the ‘Poona Margem – Punarwas se Punarjeevan’ initiative, a rehabilitation program spearheaded by the Bastar Range Police. This program aims to provide a path towards social integration and a life away from violence for former extremists. According to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, the Maoists were swayed by the government’s effective rehabilitation policies and the tangible progress of development projects in the region.
“Their decision to abandon the path of violence is a major victory for the state government’s strategy to combat Naxalism through peace, dialogue, and development,” stated Yadav. The surrendered group included members from crucial Maoist units such as the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion number 01, various area committees, platoons, and lower-rung operatives. Their defection is expected to disrupt the operational capacity of the Maoist network in Bijapur and surrounding areas.