In a major development in Chhattisgarh’s ongoing efforts to counter left-wing extremism, 27 active Maoists surrendered before the security forces in Sukma district on Wednesday.
The group includes two high-ranking cadres of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion-01, a fearsome faction of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist).
The surrender is seen as a notable success for state-led initiatives such as the Chhattisgarh Navsankalp Surrender Policy and the Niyat Nella Nar scheme, which aim to reintegrate former insurgents into mainstream society through structured rehabilitation and vocational support.
High-Profile Surrender
Among the surrendered individuals were Maoists carrying heavy bounties, with rewards totalling ₹50 lakh. This includes one operative with a ₹10 lakh bounty, another three with ₹8 lakh each, one with ₹9 lakh, and several others ranging from ₹1 to ₹2 lakh.
A total of 10 women and 17 men were among those who laid down arms, highlighting the wide reach of the Maoist movement and the shift now underway.
Police sources confirmed that some Maoists carried out violent operations and tactical planning, while others provided logistical support and helped with local recruitment and mobilisation.
According to senior officials, the surrender is the outcome of continuous pressure from joint security operations and increased engagement with local communities through rehabilitation campaigns.
The surrender policy provides a safe exit for insurgents, along with financial assistance, vocational training, and reintegration support.
Authorities believe this wave of surrender could pave the way for further defections from Maoist ranks, especially in the insurgency-affected southern districts of the Bastar region.
A Turning Point
The surrendered Maoists will now undergo formal processing under the state’s rehabilitation framework.
With the festive season and elections on the horizon, security agencies are hoping the move will help calm tensions and restore a sense of normalcy in the region.
The district administration hailed the development as a ‘turning point’ in the state’s fight against extremism, calling it a ‘victory for dialogue over destruction’.
As the Chhattisgarh government ramps up efforts to reclaim conflict zones through development and peace-building, the recent surrender signals that its strategy of outreach, pressure, and rehabilitation is beginning to yield results.
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