Dantewada, Nov 30 (NationPress) In a significant development under the Lon Varratu and Poona Margem (Revival through Rehabilitation) program, a total of 37 Maoists, including 12 women, have chosen to abandon their violent ways and reintegrate into society, as reported by officials on Sunday. Among them, 27 individuals had rewards amounting to Rs 65 lakh.

All individuals involved expressed their unwavering trust in the Chhattisgarh Government’s 'Poona Margem (Revival through Rehabilitation)' initiative as the motivating factor behind their decision to forsake violence and embrace a peaceful life.

This program, actively supervised by senior officials from the Chhattisgarh Police and CRPF, has garnered substantial support from those fatigued by life in the forests.

Officials stated that both the Central and state governments, along with the Dantewada Police, local administration, and the Central Reserve Police Force, are wholly dedicated to fostering peace, facilitating rehabilitation, and promoting inclusive development in the area.

The Inspector General of Police for the Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam, remarked that the Poona Margem and Lon Varratu programs are proving to be a transformative approach to achieving lasting peace, dignity, and overall development in Bastar.

The 37 Maoists, including those with bounties, surrendered in front of high-ranking officials such as Deputy Inspector General Dantewada Range Kamalochan Kashyap and Superintendent of Police Dantewada Gaurav Rai, among others, at the DRG office in Dantewada.

Authorities indicated that the surrendered Maoists will be granted an assistance package of Rs 50,000 under the rehabilitation policy, in addition to other forms of support from the Chhattisgarh government, including skill development training and provision of agricultural land.

Among the surrendered were 12 female Maoists, and a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered, marking a significant blow to the Maoist organization in the Bastar region.

Police noted that many of those who surrendered had been hiding in the forests for several years, with bounties of up to Rs 5 lakh placed on several individuals. Some had previously served as bodyguards and members of senior Maoist leaders' squads.

In a statement to reporters, Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai mentioned, "Our continuous efforts, along with support from the local populace, have borne fruit. The Maoists surrendering indicate that living in the forests has become increasingly untenable for them. Police outreach has intensified, and villagers are no longer extending their support to them."

Officials highlighted that due to the government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, over 508 Maoists, including 165 with bounties, have surrendered and reintegrated into society in Dantewada district over the past 20 months. A considerable number of Maoists, from high-ranking leaders to active members in critical areas, have exited the organization.

This event is viewed by authorities as a pivotal stride towards achieving a violence-free Bastar.