Raipur, Nov 11 (NationPress) The Chhattisgarh administration is ramping up its initiatives to ensure the surrender of notorious Naxal commander Hidma, regarded as the last significant stronghold of Maoist insurgency in Bastar. In a deeply personal outreach, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma visited the villages of Hidma and fellow commander Barse Deva, where he recently met and honored their mothers.

The mothers, touched by the gesture, made heartfelt appeals for their sons' rehabilitation and even shared a meal with Sharma, engaging warmly with everyone present.

In a post on X, Sharma expressed, “I paid my respects to the mothers of Madvi Hidma and Barse Deva. They also appealed for rehabilitation. We had lunch together, and the mothers spoke to everyone with great affection.”

He further engaged with families of other active Naxalites, encouraging them to promote rehabilitation.

Hidma, the commander of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army in south Bastar, is implicated in major attacks, including the Tadmetla massacre in 2010, the Jhiram Valley ambush in 2013, the Burkapal attack in 2017, and the Aranpur IED blast in 2023.

With bounties surpassing one crore rupees, he is the only remaining leader capable of rallying tribals into the Naxal movement.

As senior cadres surrender or are neutralized, the Maoist structure has notably weakened, leaving Hidma as the last link.

Security sources indicate that his surrender would essentially conclude Naxalism in Bastar. Despite rising surrenders in Bastar and Gariaband, a hardline faction including Hidma and Deva continues to resist, as revealed by surrendered Naxalite Rupesh.

Sharma's village visits were a direct response to this defiance. Speaking at a public program in Indravati Sabha Garh of Bijapur district during his two-day visit, Sharma reiterated that establishing peace, security, and development in Bastar is the government's primary focus.

He emphasized how decades of Naxal violence have hindered progress and called for collective action to render the region violence-free and prosperous.

The event attracted a large gathering of public representatives, Panchayat members, Sarpanches, and community leaders from Bijapur and Sukma districts.

Sharma made a direct appeal to Naxalites to lay down arms and reintegrate into society, promising a grand welcome complete with black carpets for their return.

The emotional interactions with the mothers have led them to publicly urge their sons to abandon violence and return home, sparking intense speculation across Bastar regarding Hidma's potential surrender.

The government remains steadfast in its commitment to peace and progress, ready to embrace anyone who chooses development over destruction.

With the pleas of the two mothers resonating throughout the region, Bastar anticipates a potential turning point in its long struggle against insurgency.