What Led to the Surrender of 12 Hardcore Maoists in Maharashtra?

Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), June 6 (NationPress) In a remarkable development, 12 notorious Maoists with bounties totaling crores surrendered and relinquished their weapons in front of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during his visit to Kawande, a remote village plagued by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border. This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first instance where such a large contingent of armed Maoists has capitulated.

The Chief Minister’s Office released a statement highlighting, “The 12 surrendered Naxalites had bounties surpassing Rs 1 crore each and surrendered advanced weaponry. CM Fadnavis handed them copies of the Indian Constitution and praised corporations like Lloyds for their roles in the rehabilitation efforts aimed at transforming Gadchiroli into a steel and employment center while conserving its natural resources.”

During a ceremony honoring the C-60 forces, CM Fadnavis said the rapid establishment of the Kawande police outpost within just 24 hours showcases a significant governance improvement, reaching out to the community.

“This is more than a police station; it symbolizes the government’s commitment to ensuring security in previously vulnerable areas. Over the past two years, we have established six such outposts,” he stated.

He noted that in the last 1.5 years, 28 Naxals were killed, 31 arrested, and 44 surrendered.

“This is a historic achievement. Many high-reward Maoists are reintegrating into society. Our battle is nearing its conclusion,” he affirmed.

CM Fadnavis also visited the river island where Maoists had been hiding, commending the bravery of commandos who neutralized four Maoists during a challenging operation that involved navigating through neck-deep water.

“Our objective is to entirely eliminate Naxalism by March 2026,” he proclaimed, acknowledging Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his stringent measures against Left-Wing Extremism.

At a gathering in Kawande, CM Fadnavis reiterated the aim of making Gadchiroli an LWE-free and economically self-sufficient district.

“Thanks to collaborative efforts from the administration and government, services are now reaching citizens directly, enhancing their faith in the system,” he stated.

Recently, through the “Dhartibaba Abhiyan,” camps were organized at Kawande, Neligunda, and Pengunda, providing essential services to 533 individuals.

CM Fadnavis also distributed benefits from numerous schemes, including Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas Yojana, Food Security Scheme, PM-KISAN, and MGNREGA job cards.

Departments such as Revenue, Health, Agriculture, Social Justice, and Police were actively involved in the camp.

Moreover, to enhance connectivity in the area, CM Fadnavis conducted a drone inspection of a bridge under construction over the Korma stream on State Highway 380.

The 120-meter-long bridge is set to significantly improve transport links between Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The project, costing Rs 10.7 crore, has received technical clearance, and he urged officials to hasten its completion.

The bridge is anticipated to aid even the most remote villages in Gadchiroli, ensuring effective delivery of government services and development initiatives, as stated in the release.

Earlier, a mass wedding for 13 former Maoists who had surrendered took place in Gadchiroli, where CM Fadnavis congratulated the newlyweds on their fresh start.

In the evening, he honored the elite C-60 commandos, providing them with advanced weaponry such as AK-103 rifles, ASMI pistols, and bulletproof jackets, commending their courageous efforts.

From the District Planning and Development Fund, 19 four-wheel vehicles, including bulletproof units, were acquired and presented to the police. The occasion was attended by Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, MLAs Dharmaraobaba Atram and Dr Milind Narote, DIG Ankit Goel, and Collector Abhishekant Panda.