What led to the surrender of 41 armed Maoist cadres in Chhattisgarh?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 41 armed Maoist cadres surrendered in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh.
- Surrender includes 12 women and a total reward of Rs 1,19,00,000 on their heads.
- Part of a rehabilitation program, 'Puna Margem: Rehabilitation to Rebirth'.
- Immediate relief of Rs 50,000 provided to each cadre.
- Significant decline in Maoist influence noted in South Bastar.
Raipur, Nov 26 (NationPress) In a significant breakthrough, 41 armed Maoist cadres, including 12 women, have surrendered to senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.
This group, with a cumulative reward of Rs 1,19,00,000 on their heads, chose to renounce violence and reintegrate into society.
The surrendered individuals were affiliated with some of the most critical factions of the banned CPI (Maoist). This included five members from PLGA Battalion No 1, three area committee members, and eleven platoon and area committee party members, as well as several militia leaders and front organization officials like DAKMS and KAMS.
Of the surrendered, thirty-nine were linked to the South Sub-Zonal Bureau, while others were part of the Telangana State Committee and the Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada division.
The surrender event was held under the state government’s rehabilitation initiative, titled 'Puna Margem: Rehabilitation to Rebirth', and the Niyad Nellanar Scheme.
Key officials present included Deputy Inspector General of Police (CRPF) Bijapur Sector BS Negi and Superintendent of Police Bijapur Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav, along with senior officers from various battalions.
Superintendent Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav welcomed this development, urging remaining Maoists to also abandon their arms, highlighting that their families wish for their return. He emphasized that the government’s rehabilitation policy offers extensive support for a safe, dignified, and self-sufficient future.
Since the beginning of this year, 528 Maoists have been apprehended, 560 have surrendered, and 144 have died in encounters within the district.
From January 2024 up to now, 790 cadres have reintegrated into the community, 1,031 have been arrested, and 202 have perished in various operations.
The returning cadres expressed unwavering trust in the Indian Constitution and committed to living peacefully within the democratic framework.
As part of immediate assistance, each individual will receive Rs 50,000, while the full rehabilitation and reintegration process has already commenced.
Security officials view this surrender as a consequence of ongoing pressures from joint operations, trust-building efforts in isolated areas, and the attractive rehabilitation offers from the Chhattisgarh government, indicating a further decline of Maoist influence in the South Bastar region.