Raipur/Bijapur, Jan 15 (NationPress) A substantial achievement has been made in the fight against Maoism in Chhattisgarh as 52 members of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) have surrendered to security forces, marking a crucial advancement towards establishing peace in the Bastar region.

The surrender ceremony, themed “Poona Margem: Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation – A New Beginning of Peace and Trust,” highlighted the effectiveness of the state government's rehabilitation strategy, supported by development initiatives like ‘Niyad Nella Nar’.

Among those who surrendered were 21 women and 31 men, together entailing bounties that amount to Rs 1.41 crore.

The surrendered individuals had affiliations with major Maoist factions, such as the South Sub-Zonal Bureau, Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, Andhra-Odisha Border Division, and Bhamragarh Area Committee.

Their choice to renounce violence was driven by ongoing joint operations conducted by the District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force, CoBRA, and CRPF, alongside calls for peace and development.

Noteworthy individuals among those who surrendered included Lakkhu Karam alias Anil, a DVC member with a bounty of Rs 8 lakh, and Lakshmi Madvi alias Ratna, a PPC member also with a bounty of Rs 8 lakh.

Other notable surrenders included Chinni Sodhi alias Shanti, Bhima Karam, Vishnu Mandavi alias Kiran alias Moti, and Moti Korsa, each of whom had significant roles and bounties ranging from Rs 5 to 8 lakh.

The group also included ACMs, PPC members, militia commanders, and leaders associated with various Maoist organizations or committees and Janatana Sarkar.

Superintendent of Police Dr. Jitendra Kumar Yadav, who officiated the event alongside senior CRPF and police officials, regarded the surrender as a crucial juncture in combating extremism.

He stressed that the cadres had come to realize the pointlessness of violence and were now opting for progress through rehabilitation schemes that offer financial assistance, skill development, housing, and employment opportunities.

This occurrence contributes to Bijapur’s impressive tally, with 824 cadres having surrendered, 1,126 arrested, and 223 eliminated in encounters since January 2024.

Across the state, over 2,000 Maoists have surrendered under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, aligning with the Union Home Ministry’s goal of eradicating Left-Wing Extremism by 2026.

Officials believe that this latest surrender will motivate additional defections, hastening peace in Bastar.

This decision follows similar large-scale surrenders in Dantewada and Sukma earlier this month, indicating a diminishing Maoist influence throughout the area.

One former cadre encapsulated the sentiment by stating: “We were deceived by anti-people ideologies; now, we pursue a life centered on trust and development.”