What Led to the Surrender of 16 Maoists with a Combined Bounty of Rs 70 Lakh in Narayanpur?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sixteen Maoists surrendered in Narayanpur.
- Combined bounty of Rs 70 lakh.
- Includes high-ranking members of Maoist groups.
- Government support for rehabilitation offered.
- Insights into internal Maoist organization revealed.
Raipur, Oct 8 (NationPress) In a significant achievement in the battle against Naxalism, a total of sixteen Maoists, which included seven women, voluntarily surrendered to the police and paramilitary forces in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. The individuals who surrendered had a collective bounty of Rs 70 lakh and comprised notable figures from the outlawed group, including the Deputy Commander of PLGA Military Company No. 1, as well as members of the North Bureau Technical Team and the Mad Division Stop Team, alongside other party cadres and militia, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.
Each of the surrendered Maoists pledged to reintegrate into society and received an incentive cheque of Rs 50,000 under the Chhattisgarh government's Naxal rehabilitation program. They will also gain access to all promised support as part of the initiative aimed at their societal reintegration.
The surrender event was overseen by Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria (IPS), with the presence of senior officials from the ITBP, BSF, and district police. Among those in attendance were Roshan Singh Aswal, Commandant of the 38th Battalion ITBP, Mohammad Israel, Commandant of BSF Sector Headquarters, BS Chandel, and NS Kutiyal from the 133rd Battalion, along with various other senior officials.
During questioning, the surrendered individuals shared alarming insights regarding the internal dynamics of the Maoist organization, claiming that senior leaders misled local tribal communities with false assurances of justice, equality, and the safeguarding of their land and resources.
They detailed instances of severe abuse faced by women Maoists, who were often treated as personal property by senior leaders, seduced by promises of urban life and opportunities abroad, the statement indicated.
The decision to surrender stemmed from a growing discontent with Maoist ideology and escalating pressure from security forces, who have ramped up their operations in remote areas by establishing new camps. The former cadres highlighted atrocities, discrimination from external Maoists, and violence against local tribes as primary motivations for their departure from the movement.
Among the notable individuals was Podiya Markam alias Ratan, Deputy Commander of PLGA Military Company No. 1, and Manoj Dugga alias Shankar, both with rewards of Rs 8 lakh. Others included Sumitra Kursam, Madda Kunjam, Ravi Vadde, Kare Korram, Vanila Farsa, Shri Gawade, Budhu Usendi, and Somlo Kashyap, with bounties ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 8 lakh.
With this latest occurrence, the total number of surrendered Maoists in 2025 has now reached 192, marking a significant step forward in the state’s initiatives to restore peace and development in the region.