28 Naxalites Surrender in Chhattisgarh, Including High-Value Targets

In a significant development for law enforcement in Chhattisgarh, 28 Naxalites have laid down their arms and surrendered in the Narayanpur district. The group’s surrender is particularly noteworthy as 22 of its members carried a combined bounty totaling Rs 89 lakh, highlighting their former roles within the extremist organization. The surrendered Maoists, including 19 women, reportedly cited growing confidence in the state government’s commitment to development and effective rehabilitation policies as their primary motivation. Initiatives like the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ (Your Good Village) scheme, aimed at bringing essential services to remote areas, and the ‘Poona Margham’ program, designed for the societal reintegration of former militants, were identified as key influences. Four individuals were designated as hardcore members, including Pandi Dhruv alias Dinesh, a Divisional Committee member, and Dule Mandavi alias Munni, Chhattis Poyam, and Padni Oyam, all associated with Military Company No 6 of the East Bastar division. Each of these carried a substantial reward of Rs 8 lakh. Other surrendered cadres included several area committee members, each with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh. The surrender was further bolstered by the recovery of significant weaponry, including an SLR, an INSAS rifle, and a .303 rifle. These individuals are now set to undergo processing under Chhattisgarh’s rehabilitation framework, promising them support for a new beginning.