In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, 41 Maoist cadres have laid down their arms. Officials confirmed that 32 of these individuals carried a collective bounty totaling Rs 1.19 crore, highlighting their former positions within the banned organization. This mass surrender occurred on Wednesday, with the cadres opting to rejoin mainstream society.
The surrendered individuals included 12 women and were impressed by the government’s robust surrender and rehabilitation policies. They were also motivated by the ‘Poona Margham’ initiative, a rehabilitation drive specifically designed for reintegration in the Bastar region. Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav stated that these cadres have expressed faith in the Indian Constitution and are seeking a dignified life within democratic frameworks.
Among the 41, a substantial number, 39, were affiliated with the Maoists’ South Sub-Zonal Bureau. Their previous roles spanned critical committees and divisions, including the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, Telangana State Committee, and the Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada divisions. This indicates a considerable weakening of the organization’s regional leadership.
Details revealed that the surrendered cadres held various positions, from PLGA battalion members and company operatives to area committee members, platoon commanders, and militia members. Nine individuals alone each carried an Rs 8 lakh bounty, with others bearing rewards of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, and Rs 1 lakh, underscoring their seniority. As part of the rehabilitation process, each surrendering cadre received an immediate incentive of Rs 50,000. This event is part of a broader trend, with 790 Maoist cadres having abandoned violence in Bijapur alone since January 2024.