52 Maoist cadres surrender in Chhattisgarh, ₹1.41 crore bounty neutralised

In a major breakthrough for Chhattisgarh’s counter-insurgency and rehabilitation efforts, 52 Maoist cadres surrendered in the Bijapur district on Thursday, signalling a further weakening of the outlawed organisation in the Bastar region. The surrendered group, 21 women and 31 men, was collectively carrying a reward of ₹1.41 crore, reflecting their operational significance within the Maoist hierarchy.

The surrender was facilitated under the state government’s rehabilitation policy ‘Puna Margem’, which focuses on encouraging armed cadres to renounce violence and rejoin the mainstream. Police officials said the development was the outcome of sustained pressure by security forces, focused intelligence work, and parallel confidence-building measures under development initiatives such as ‘Mera Sundar Gaon’ (Niyod Nellanar).

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According to official figures, the surrendered cadres belonged to the South Sub-Zonal Bureau and included operatives holding key ranks such as DVCM, PPCM, ACM, divisional and bureau members, platoon commanders, militia members and Janatana Sarkar functionaries. Several among them had been involved in ambushes, IED blasts and armed attacks that together claimed the lives of 56 security personnel over the years.

Police data highlight the scale of recent gains in Bijapur district alone. Since January 1, 2024, a total of 824 Maoists have surrendered, 1,126 have been arrested, and 223 killed in encounters, marking a decisive shift in the security landscape of the region.

All surrendered cadres formally expressed faith in the Indian Constitution and committed themselves to a democratic and non-violent way of life. As part of the rehabilitation process, each individual was provided ₹50,000 as immediate financial assistance, with further benefits to follow as per policy provisions.

Senior officials credited the success to coordinated operations by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA, Bastar Fighters, and CRPF battalions deployed in the area. Bijapur Superintendent of Police Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav appealed to remaining Maoists to abandon violence, stating that the government’s policy is designed to ensure a secure, dignified and sustainable future for those who choose peace.

Authorities said security operations would continue alongside rehabilitation and development measures, underlining that the twin strategy of enforcement and reintegration remains central to the state’s approach in tackling Left-wing extremism.