150 Maoists to lay down arms before Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Preparations are underway in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, for the country’s largest-ever Maoist surrender ceremony, scheduled for Friday, October 17. Around 150 Maoists, including more than 100 from the Maad Division and cadres from Battalion No. 5 active in Kanker, are expected to lay down arms in front of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma at the Jagdalpur Police Lines.

According to intelligence inputs, DKSZC (Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee) leader and Maoist spokesperson Rupesh alias Satish alias Asanna is on his way to Bhairamgarh along with his close associates. The group will be brought to Jagdalpur under tight security arrangements.

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Home Minister Vijay Sharma, speaking in Raipur, confirmed that a large number of Maoists have expressed willingness to surrender. “We are ready to welcome them with a red carpet. Many who surrendered in Kanker yesterday will also be brought to Jagdalpur for the formal ceremony,” he said.

Police sources said that Central Committee member Rupesh, Maad Division secretary Ranita, two DKSZC members, and fifteen DVC (Divisional Committee) members are among those surrendering. In total, about 140 Maoists, including several women and young cadres, have already crossed the Indravati River near Bhairamgarh and are being escorted in buses to Jagdalpur. Each of the three buses carrying the cadres is being shadowed by armed escorts.

Officials added that the surrendering Maoists are carrying over 70 weapons, including assault rifles and country-made guns. On Thursday afternoon, the cadres had lunch together at their forest camp before marching in formation towards the Indravati River crossing, heavily guarded by state police and paramilitary forces. Movement of outsiders was strictly prohibited in the area during the transit.

Meanwhile, in Kanker district, Raju Salam, commander of Battalion No. 5, also reached Kamteda camp with several senior leaders, including Prasad and Meena. This group, too, will be brought to Jagdalpur for the formal surrender on Friday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the development on social media, stating, “It is heartening that regions like Abujhmad and North Bastar, once the epicentres of Maoist terror, have now been declared free of extremism. Only traces remain in South Bastar, which our security forces will soon eliminate.”

He added that since the BJP government assumed office in Chhattisgarh in January 2024, the state has witnessed 2,100 Maoist surrenders, 1,785 arrests, and 477 Maoists neutralised. “These figures reflect our firm resolve to eradicate Maoism from Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026,” Shah wrote.