The surrender was facilitated by the ‘Poona Margem’ initiative, a program designed to encourage rehabilitation and the social reintegration of former Naxal cadres. Police Superintendent Gaurav Rai confirmed that the group comprised 12 women, underscoring the initiative’s broad appeal and inclusive strategy. This initiative aims to foster lasting peace, respect, and development in the region.

Among the surrendered, several high-profile Naxals were identified, including Kumali alias Anita Mandavi, Geeta alias Laxmi Madkam, Ranjan alias Soma Mandavi, and Bhima alias Jahaj Kalmu. Each of these individuals reportedly carried an individual bounty of Rs 8 lakh, highlighting their former roles within the Naxal hierarchy.

Under the state government’s comprehensive rehabilitation policy, every surrendering cadre receives immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000. Furthermore, they are provided with access to skill development training, agricultural land, and other essential support mechanisms to aid their transition back into mainstream society. This policy is crucial for ensuring their successful reintegration and preventing a return to their former activities.

Authorities have noted a considerable increase in such surrenders. In the past 20 months alone, over 500 Maoists, including 165 individuals with declared bounties, have chosen to abandon their armed struggle and rejoin society. The Bastar Range Police’s proactive approach, spearheaded by initiatives like ‘Poona Margem’, is proving instrumental in this peace-building effort. The national goal to eradicate Naxalism by March 2026 continues to drive these state and central government efforts.

Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav attributed the surrender to the effectiveness of the government’s new rehabilitation policy and the ‘Poona Margham’ initiative, a rehabilitation drive aimed at social reintegration for Maoists in the Bastar region. This policy has proven successful in encouraging cadres to abandon their violent path.

The surrendered individuals were involved in various capacities within the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and other wings of the Maoist organization. This included members of battalion no.1, different companies, area committees, platoon and area committee members, militia platoon commanders, and deputy commanders. Notably, 39 of the 41 cadres belonged to the south sub-zonal bureau, with affiliations to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee, Telangana State Committee, and specific regional divisions.

Many of the surrendered Naxalites carried significant rewards on their heads. Nine individuals alone had bounties of Rs 8 lakh each. The total reward amount underscores the operational significance of these cadres. The surrendered Maoists have pledged their allegiance to the Indian Constitution and expressed a desire for a peaceful and dignified life.

As part of the rehabilitation package, each surrendered cadre received an immediate incentive of Rs 50,000. This surrender marks a continued trend of Maoist cadres renouncing violence in Chhattisgarh. Since January 2024, a total of 790 Maoist cadres have reportedly surrendered in Bijapur district alone. This initiative is supported by the state government’s commitment to providing a secure and self-reliant future for those who choose to reintegrate into society.

Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan confirmed that the surrendered cadres met with senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials. During discussions, the former militants cited the state government’s proactive development and rehabilitation initiatives as their primary motivation. Specific programs like ‘Niyad Nellanar,’ which fosters infrastructure development in remote areas, and the ‘Poona Margham’ (Rehabilitation for Social Reintegration) surrender policy played a crucial role in their decision.

Among the surrendered were four hardcore PLGA members, each with an individual bounty of Rs 8 lakh. These included Madvi Sanna (28) and his wife Sodi Hidme (25), along with Suryam alias Ravva Soma (30) and his wife Meena alias Madvi Bhime (28). Additionally, two area committee members surrendered with Rs 5 lakh bounties each, one carrying a Rs 3 lakh reward, and two others with bounties of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 1 lakh respectively.

To facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society, each surrendering cadre received immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000. The government is committed to supporting their rehabilitation through established programs. This mass surrender is part of a larger trend, with over 2,150 Naxalites having surrendered in Chhattisgarh over the past 23 months, demonstrating the success of state-led development and peace initiatives.

Madavi Hidma, also known by aliases like Hidmallu and Santosh, was a key member of the CPI (Maoist) Central Committee. Hailing from Chhattisgarh, he joined the Maoist movement in his youth and ascended to become a principal architect of Naxal operations in Bastar and surrounding Chhattisgarh areas. Recognized for his expertise in guerrilla warfare, Hidma was instrumental in planning and executing numerous deadly attacks, including the 2010 Dantewada attack that claimed 76 CRPF lives and the 2013 Darbha Valley Massacre. His elimination, carrying a bounty exceeding Rs 1.45 crore, marks a critical juncture in the nation’s sustained campaign against left-wing extremism.

The successful operation unfolded in the forests near the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana border following credible intelligence about heightened Maoist activities. A precision search by security forces led to a gunfight, resulting in the deaths of six Maoists. The fatalities included Chelluri Narayana, a Special Zonal Committee Member, and Tech Shankar, alongside Hidma and his wife. Authorities have confirmed that extensive combing operations are underway to apprehend any remaining operatives and dismantle their network.

Hidma’s demise is being hailed as a monumental breakthrough, effectively decapitating a crucial leadership element within the PLGA. This loss is expected to severely disrupt the group’s operational planning, coordination, and ability to launch large-scale assaults in key regions like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Furthermore, it serves as a significant psychological blow to Naxal cadres and provides security forces with a potential intelligence windfall, accelerating efforts to dismantle remaining Maoist infrastructure.

The surrender was facilitated under the ‘Poona Margem – Punarwas se Punarjeevan’ initiative, a rehabilitation program spearheaded by the Bastar Range Police. This program aims to provide a path towards social integration and a life away from violence for former extremists. According to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, the Maoists were swayed by the government’s effective rehabilitation policies and the tangible progress of development projects in the region.

“Their decision to abandon the path of violence is a major victory for the state government’s strategy to combat Naxalism through peace, dialogue, and development,” stated Yadav. The surrendered group included members from crucial Maoist units such as the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion number 01, various area committees, platoons, and lower-rung operatives. Their defection is expected to disrupt the operational capacity of the Maoist network in Bijapur and surrounding areas.

The first arrest was Mallesh Kunjam, a Divisional Committee Member (DVCM) of the Jagargunda Area Committee, son of Boti alias Tokdu alias Nanda alias Hurra. Kunjam, 40, a resident of Narsapur village, Basaguda police station, Bijapur district, carried a reward of ₹8 lakhs.

In a separate operation, a joint team from Jangla and Bhairamgarh, during a search and combing operation, apprehended Anil Veko, the Janatana Sarkar President. Veko, 32, a resident of Darmar village, was involved in multiple Maoist incidents. He was carrying a reward of ₹1 lakh. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested Maoist operatives, and they were presented before the Honorable Court on judicial remand.

A purported letter from Abhay, the central spokesperson of the Naxal organization, has gone viral on social media. In it, Abhay stated that they are ready for talks, but the government should declare a ceasefire.

In the letter, the Naxal spokesperson claimed that their party has been seriously attempting peace talks since March 2025. However, the government has intensified the encirclement and elimination operations since January 2024. Abhay also mentioned in the letter that 28 members of their central committee, including their general secretary Baswaraju, were killed in a major encounter in Gundekot, Mad area, on May 21.

According to the letter, the organization has now decided to move forward with the incomplete peace process and will work with political parties and struggling organizations on public issues in the future, abandoning arms.

Rao, a native of Andhra Pradesh, was killed along with 26 others in a fierce encounter with security forces in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. Keshav Rao was also known as Basavaraju.

Basavaraju was considered a top leader and ideological pillar of the Naxal movement. The last rites of Basavaraju and seven other activists killed in the encounter were performed by the authorities on May 26 in Narayanpur. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing the petition challenging the order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court dated May 29, filed by two relatives of Rao.

The lawyer representing Basavaraju stated that the bodies of the Chhattisgarh people were handed over to their relatives. He said that Basavaraju’s relatives are from Andhra Pradesh and his body was not handed over to them.

The lawyer further mentioned that even the ashes of the deceased have not been handed over to date. The bench said that this is an issue that should be decided in proper proceedings, not in this contempt case. The Supreme Court told the petitioner’s lawyer that this contempt petition will not help you. Explore other remedies. The bench said that it was right for the High Court to close the contempt proceedings. Basavaraju carried a reward of one crore rupees in Chhattisgarh.