In a significant development for security forces in Chhattisgarh, twenty-eight Naxalites have surrendered in Narayanpur district, with twenty-two of them carrying a collective bounty of Rs 89 lakh on their heads. The surrender took place on Tuesday before senior police officials, marking another milestone in the state's efforts to combat left-wing extremism.
Rehabilitation Initiatives Drive Mass Surrender
The surrendered cadres, including nineteen women, cited their motivation to join the mainstream due to the state government's development and rehabilitation policies. According to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sundarraj Pattilingam of Bastar Range, the Maoists were particularly impressed by three key initiatives: the 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme, the new surrender and rehabilitation policy, and the 'Poona Margham' (rehabilitation for social reintegration) program.
While Niyad Nellanar focuses on facilitating development works in remote villages, Poona Margham is a specialized rehabilitation initiative launched specifically by Bastar Range police to help former insurgents reintegrate into society.
High-Value Surrenders and Recovered Weapons
Among the surrendered cadres were four hardcore Maoists carrying substantial individual rewards:
- Pandi Dhruv alias Dinesh (33) - Divisional Committee member with Rs 8 lakh bounty
- Dule Mandavi alias Munni (26) - Military Company No. 6 member with Rs 8 lakh bounty
- Chhattis Poyam (18) - Military Company No. 6 member with Rs 8 lakh bounty
- Padni Oyam (30) - Military Company No. 6 member with Rs 8 lakh bounty
The surrender also included six area committee members each carrying Rs 5 lakh bounty: Lakhmu Usendi (20), Sukmati Nureti (25), Sakila Kashyap (35), Shambatti Shori (35), Chaite alias Rajita (30), and Budhra Rava (28).
Significantly, three of the surrendered cadres - Dinesh, Lakhmu, and Sukmatri - handed over sophisticated firearms to the police, including one Self Loading Rifle (SLR), one Insas rifle, and one .303 rifle respectively.
Broader Impact on Maoist Insurgency
Police officials view this surrender as indicative of a larger trend weakening the Maoist movement in the region. Inspector General Pattilingam emphasized that "the rehabilitation of 28 Maoist cadres in Narayanpur indicates that the end of the violent and anti-people Maoist ideology is near."
The statistics reveal a substantial shift in the region's security landscape. In just the last 50 days, over 512 Maoist cadres have abandoned violence and joined the mainstream in the Bastar range, which comprises seven districts including Narayanpur.
Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria provided additional context, noting that with this latest surrender, a total of 287 Maoist cadres have renounced violence and rejoined mainstream society in the district alone this year.
The official further stated that remaining senior Maoist leaders, including politburo member Devji, Central Committee member Ramdar, and Dandakaranya special zonal committee members Pappa Rao and Barse Deva, are increasingly isolated and have "no option but to renounce violence and join the mainstream."
On a state-wide scale, the numbers are even more compelling. Police data indicates that approximately 2200 Naxalites, including top-level cadres, have surrendered in Chhattisgarh over the past 23 months, signaling a potential turning point in the decades-long conflict between security forces and left-wing extremists in the region.
