In a significant development in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, 20 Naxalites surrendered to police and security forces, with 11 of them carrying a collective bounty of ₹33 lakh.

Among the surrendering cadres, nine were women, including hardcore members of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion no.1, regarded as the strongest military formation of the Maoists.

They cited disillusionment with the Maoist ideology, atrocities committed by cadres against innocent tribals, and growing internal differences within the banned outfit as key reasons for surrendering.

The surrendered Naxalites were also influenced by the state government's 'Niyad Nellanar' scheme, which focuses on development in remote villages, and the new surrender and rehabilitation policy aimed at reintegrating former insurgents with education, employment, and assistance for a self-reliant life.

Key individuals among them included Sharmila alias Uika Bhime and Tati Kosi alias Parmila, each carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh, and Muchaki Hidma, an area committee member with a ₹5 lakh bounty. Others had rewards ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹4 lakh.

Authorities have provided financial assistance of ₹50,000 to each surrendering cadre and committed to further rehabilitation support under government policies. Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan appealed to all Maoist cadres to abandon violence and assured security and dignity in their new lives. He emphasised that education, employment, and rehabilitation facilities would be offered to aid their social reintegration.

The police and CRPF have commended the surrender as a major step toward peace and demanded that others follow suit to put an end to the insurgency. The central and state governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah continue their campaigns to make India Naxal-free by 2026 through strengthened operations and rehabilitation initiatives.

Based On A PTI Report