In a significant development for security forces in Chhattisgarh, the CPI (Maoist) organization suffered a major blow in the restive south Bastar region. On Tuesday, a total of 34 armed Maoist cadres, including seven women, laid down their weapons and surrendered before authorities in Bijapur district. The collective bounty on their heads stood at a substantial ₹84 lakh.
Prominent Leaders Among the Surrendered Cadres
The group of surrenderees included several high-ranking members of the banned left-wing extremist outfit. One of the most notable figures is Pandru Punem, alias Sanju, a 45-year-old Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) from the Kerlapal Area Committee, who carried an individual reward of ₹8 lakh. The others held important positions across the Maoist organizational structure.
Police officials stated that the surrendered individuals hailed from various People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) companies and area committees, including those of Kerlapal, Kistaram, Kutul, Bhairamgarh, Madded, and the Mangi area in Telangana. Their involvement spanned key Maoist bodies like the Dandakaranya South Sub Zonal Bureau (DKSZC), the Telangana State Committee, and the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) division.
Reasons for Surrender and Ongoing Rehabilitation
According to the Bijapur Superintendent of Police, Jitendra Yadav, the cadres decided to leave the Maoist fold due to a combination of factors. They cited the sustained pressure from security operations, increasing isolation within villages, and a strong desire for a secure and dignified life outside the conflict. The appeal of the government's rehabilitation policy ultimately proved decisive.
Under the surrender and rehabilitation policy, each cadre will receive an immediate financial assistance of ₹50,000. They will be entitled to further benefits based on their rank, involvement in the organization, and existing government norms. Their cases will now undergo a defined legal process, which includes scrutiny of any pending offences, counselling sessions, skill development training, and assistance in establishing a sustainable livelihood.
A Continuing Trend in South Bastar
This mass surrender is part of a larger trend observed in Bijapur district since the beginning of 2024. Official data reveals that from January 1, 2024, a total of 824 Maoists have joined the mainstream in the district. During the same period, 1,079 were arrested, and 220 were killed in various encounters with security forces.
Police highlighted that many of those who surrendered on Tuesday were active in some of the most violence-affected pockets of Bijapur, Sukma, and the wider south Bastar region. They were allegedly linked to past incidents of ambushes, IED attacks, and coercive "people's courts." Among the women cadres were those who held posts like Area Committee Member (ACM) in the Telangana State Committee and key positions in the Krantikari Adivasi Mahila Sangathan (KAMS) and other women's fronts at the Regional Party Committee level.
This event marks another step in the changing dynamics of the region, often referred to by security experts as the "new script" in south Bastar, where sustained counter-insurgency efforts and outreach programs are encouraging Maoists to abandon violence and return to civilian life.
