Did 22 Maoists, including eight women, surrender in Chhattisgarh?

Raipur, July 11 (NationPress) In a remarkable turn of events in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district, 22 Maoists surrendered on Friday, signaling a vital step towards restoring peace in the troubled Abujhmad area. They presented themselves to high-ranking police officials, including Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria, as part of the state's persistent anti-Maoist efforts and rehabilitation programs.

The group, which included 14 men and eight female members, had a cumulative bounty of 37.50 lakh rupees placed on their heads. Superintendent Guria indicated that their return to society represents a severe setback for the Maoist network in the area.

Among those who gave up arms were a couple, and the group consisted of participants from both the Kutul and Amdai Area Committees, notorious for their activities in the dense forest regions of the Bastar division.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated on his X account, "Citizens are opting for progress and unity instead of violence. In Narayanpur district, 22 Naxalites with a total bounty of Rs 37.5 lakh have surrendered. These individuals, who had rewards ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 8 lakh, are now choosing to abandon militancy."

According to CM Sai, 1,476 Maoists have surrendered under the current administration. This demonstrates the growing effectiveness of the government's surrender and rehabilitation policy set for 2025, alongside welfare initiatives aimed at building trust within tribal communities. Programs such as 'Niyad Nellnar' have empowered individuals to pursue development and reintegrate into society. Our government is dedicated to restoring the lives of those who have embraced peace, and we aim to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

The decision to surrender was reportedly spurred by increasing disenchantment with the Naxalite ideology and internal conflicts within the organization.

Many surrenders attributed their departure from the movement to the exploitation of tribal communities and broken promises from their leaders. One notable surrender was that of Area Commander Sukhlal, who had a bounty of eight lakh rupees, and he surrendered alongside his wife, also involved in Naxal activities.

The Chhattisgarh government's surrender and rehabilitation policy has been instrumental in facilitating this surrender.

As part of this initiative, surrendered Naxalites receive financial support, housing, and vocational training for successful reintegration into society. Each of the 22 individuals was provided an immediate assistance package and will qualify for additional support according to the policy guidelines.

Security operations involving the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Border Security Force have intensified in Narayanpur, increasing pressure on Maoist groups.

The Maad Bachao Abhiyan, which aims to reclaim the Abujhmad region for its rightful tribal inhabitants, has also gained traction with these recent surrenders. With this latest event, the total number of Maoists who have surrendered in Narayanpur this year has surpassed 100.

Officials believe that ongoing efforts focused on development, dialogue, and rehabilitation will further diminish the influence of extremist ideologies in the region and pave the way for enduring peace.