In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement in Chhattisgarh, 21 Maoist cadres, including 13 women, laid down their arms in Kanker district on Sunday. This mass surrender was facilitated by the ‘Poona Margem: Rehabilitation through Reintegration’ initiative, a program designed to bring former insurgents back into mainstream society. Among those surrendering was Mukesh, a Division Committee Secretary, and several other key members holding various committee positions. The group also included individuals from the lower ranks of the outlawed movement, all belonging to the Kuemari/Kiskodo Area Committee of the Keshkal Division. The surrendered cadres handed over a substantial cache of 18 weapons, demonstrating a notable weakening of rebel capabilities in the region. This haul included high-powered firearms such as three AK-47s, two INSAS rifles, four SLR rifles, six .303 rifles, two single-shot rifles, and a Barrel Grenade Launcher (BGL). This development follows a series of successful surrenders in the Bastar region, underscoring the effectiveness of the police’s rehabilitation efforts and the growing impact of these programs on deterring extremist activities.
