Senior Maoist Commander Chaitu Surrenders in Major Blow to Insurgency
In a significant development for security forces in Chhattisgarh, a senior Maoist commander, Chaitu alias Shyam Dada, surrendered in Jagdalpur. He was accompanied by nine fellow cadres, including three women. This event marks a major setback for the Maoist movement in the troubled south Bastar region.
Chaitu was a key commander of the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) and is described by security agencies as one of the masterminds behind the devastating 2013 Jhiram valley attack. This attack led to the elimination of several frontline Congress leaders.
Surrender Under Rehabilitation Scheme
The group laid down their arms under the state's "Poona Margeim: New Path- Rehabilitation to New Life" initiative. The surrender ceremony took place before senior police officers, officials from central security forces, and respected elders of the tribal community.
The collective bounty on the heads of the ten individuals who surrendered was a substantial Rs 65 lakh. Chaitu alone carried a reward of Rs 25 lakh, underscoring his importance within the Maoist hierarchy.
Security Pressure and Weakening Maoist Hold
Bastar range Inspector General of Police, P Sundarraj, stated that the decision to surrender was driven by multiple factors. These include intensified anti-Maoist operations, sustained pressure from security forces on the ground, and a recent wave of surrenders by other senior Maoist leaders.
According to a police briefing, Chaitu and his associates expressed feelings of isolation due to continuous security operations. They also cited concerns for the safety and future of their families as a primary reason for joining the mainstream.
IGP Sundarraj used this opportunity to send a message to other insurgents, urging them to follow suit. He specifically called upon remaining high-profile leaders like Devji, Papa Rao, and Barse Deva to renounce violence and integrate into society.
Security officials believe this surrender could trigger a fragmentation of one of the main Maoist committees operating in the Darbha–Andhra belt. They anticipate that more cadres, particularly those scattered in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, may now choose to surrender, further weakening the Maoist infrastructure in the region.
