Fifteen Naxalites laid down their arms and surrendered to security forces in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, on Monday. This significant development includes nine individuals with a combined bounty totaling Rs 48 lakh, underscoring the impact of ongoing anti-insurgency operations. The group comprised five women and members of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), a key armed wing of the Maoist movement.
Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan confirmed that the surrendered cadres met with senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials. During discussions, the former militants cited the state government’s proactive development and rehabilitation initiatives as their primary motivation. Specific programs like ‘Niyad Nellanar,’ which fosters infrastructure development in remote areas, and the ‘Poona Margham’ (Rehabilitation for Social Reintegration) surrender policy played a crucial role in their decision.
Among the surrendered were four hardcore PLGA members, each with an individual bounty of Rs 8 lakh. These included Madvi Sanna (28) and his wife Sodi Hidme (25), along with Suryam alias Ravva Soma (30) and his wife Meena alias Madvi Bhime (28). Additionally, two area committee members surrendered with Rs 5 lakh bounties each, one carrying a Rs 3 lakh reward, and two others with bounties of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively.
To facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society, each surrendering cadre received immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000. The government is committed to supporting their rehabilitation through established programs. This mass surrender is part of a larger trend, with over 2,150 Naxalites having surrendered in Chhattisgarh over the past 23 months, demonstrating the success of state-led development and peace initiatives.