Major Maoist Surrender in South Bastar
In a significant development for peace efforts in Chhattisgarh, 37 Maoists laid down their arms in Dantewada district on Sunday, choosing rehabilitation over violence. The surrender, which took place under the district's transformative 'Poona Margem (Rehabilitation to Rebirth)' initiative, represents one of the largest such events in recent months.
High-Profile Surrenders with Substantial Rewards
Among those who surrendered, 27 Maoists carried declared cash rewards totaling Rs 65 lakh on their heads. The surrendered cadres include several high-ranking members of the Maoist hierarchy, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in reaching even senior leadership.
The notable surrenders include:Kumli alias Anita Mandavi, Company No. 06 member and guard of SZCM Kamlesh with an Rs 8 lakh reward;Geeta alias Lakhmi alias Lakshmi Madkam, Company No. 10 member (Rs 8 lakh reward);Ranjan alias Soma Mandavi, Company No. 06 member (Rs 8 lakh reward); andBhima alias Jahaz Kalmu, Company No. 02 member (Rs 8 lakh reward) accused of involvement in major attacks.
Other significant surrenders include Kranti alias Podie Gawde, ACM of Aamdai Area Committee with a Rs 5 lakh reward, along with multiple platoon members, militia commanders, and leaders from various front organizations including Chetna Natya Mandali (CNM), Janatana Sarkar, and RPC with rewards ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
Expanding Reach of Peace Initiative
According to Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai, the surrendered cadres represent a cross-section of Maoist leadership, including company members, area committee members, militia commanders, and key functionaries from several Maoist front organizations operating in the Dantewada–Bhairamgarh–Indravati belt.
The surrender ceremony took place under the supervision of Dantewada Range DIG Kamalochan Kashyap, CRPF Dantewada Range DIG (Operations) Rakesh Chaudhary, and Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai, along with intelligence wing officers.
Bastar Range Inspector General of Police Sundarraj Pattilingam emphasized that the 'Poona Margem: Rehabilitation to Rebirth' programme is emerging as a transformative initiative for lasting peace, dignity, and holistic progress in Bastar. He noted that growing trust in the scheme is encouraging both senior and lower-rung cadres to abandon violence.
Historical Context and Growing Momentum
The latest surrender continues a positive trend in the region. In the past 20 months, more than 508 Maoists — including 165 with cash rewards — have left the movement in Dantewada and joined the social mainstream.
Police revealed that several members of the surrendered group were involved in major incidents. Women cadres from Aamdai and Company No. 06 participated in the 2024 encounters in the forests of Thulthuli. Bhima alias Jahaz Kalmu was allegedly involved in firing on a police party near a bridge between Bhairamgarh and Keshkutul in May 2019, and in the March 2020 TCOC-period ambush at Minpa, where 26 jawans were killed and 20 injured.
Other surrendered members were engaged in enforcing bandh calls by digging roads, felling trees, and putting up Maoist banners, posters, and pamphlets in their respective areas.
The surrender also included members of village-level mass organizations such as KAMS, DAKMS, student fronts, and agricultural committees from Aamdai, Bhairamgarh, Indravati, and adjoining areas, indicating the program's comprehensive reach across the Maoist support structure.
