In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, 41 Maoist cadres have surrendered, with 32 of them carrying a collective bounty of Rs 1.19 crore. The surrender ceremony saw these individuals lay down their arms before senior police officials on Wednesday. This mass defection includes 12 women and represents a major blow to the outlawed CPI (Maoist) organization in the region.
Officials stated that the surrendered cadres were influenced by the Chhattisgarh government’s effective new surrender and rehabilitation policy. Additionally, the ‘Poona Margham’ initiative, a rehabilitation drive by the Bastar range police aimed at social reintegration, played a crucial role in their decision to abandon violence. Many expressed a desire for a dignified and secure life within the constitutional framework.
A substantial number, 39 out of the 41 individuals, were reportedly part of the Maoist’s south sub-zonal bureau. Their affiliations extended to key operational units like the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, the Telangana State Committee, and divisions covering Dhamtari, Gariaband, and Nuapada.
Among the surrendered, nine individuals carried individual bounties of Rs 8 lakh each. Several others had bounties ranging from Rs 5 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, to Rs 1 lakh, underscoring their former roles within the Naxalite hierarchy.
Since January 2024, Bijapur district has witnessed a considerable number of Maoists quitting violence. With this latest group, the total number of cadres joining the mainstream has reached 790. This contrasts with the 202 Maoists killed and 1,031 arrested in the same period. Authorities are encouraging remaining insurgents to embrace peace and reintegration.