Officials confirmed that the operation involved a joint team comprising the DRG, Special Task Force (STF), and the elite CoBRA unit of the CRPF. The exchange of fire reportedly lasted for approximately two hours, with security forces successfully neutralizing six Maoist cadres. Their bodies have since been recovered. The martyred DRG jawans are being honored for their bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty.

Authorities indicated that the operation is still ongoing, with a significant number of Naxalites believed to be surrounded. There is a possibility that the casualty count among the Naxalites could increase as the situation develops. This latest engagement adds to the ongoing efforts to combat insurgency in the region. This year alone, Chhattisgarh has seen a substantial number of Naxalite eliminations, underscoring the persistent challenges in maintaining peace and security.

Among the prominent figures who laid down arms were Kumali alias Anita Mandavi, Geeta alias Laxmi Madkam, Ranjan alias Soma Mandavi, and Bhima alias Jahaj Kalmu. Each of these key cadres was previously marked with an Rs 8 lakh bounty, signifying their importance within the Naxal hierarchy.

The Chhattisgarh government’s rehabilitation policy offers substantial support to those who choose to leave the armed struggle. Surrendering individuals receive an immediate payment of Rs 50,000, alongside access to skill development training, agricultural land, and comprehensive assistance for their return to mainstream society. Police officials noted that the “Poona Margem” initiative, driven by the Bastar Range Police, is proving instrumental in fostering lasting peace, respect, and development in the Naxal-affected regions.

This recent surrender adds to a growing trend, with over 500 Maoists, including 165 with bounties, having surrendered in the past 20 months alone. The broader impact is even more substantial, with more than 2,200 Naxals, including high-ranking leaders, surrendering in Chhattisgarh over the last 23 months. These efforts align with the central government’s ambitious target to eradicate Naxalism nationwide by March 2026.

Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav attributed the surrenders to the effectiveness of the government’s new rehabilitation policy and the ‘Poona Margham’ initiative. This Bastar range police drive aims to reintegrate former Naxalites into society through comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Many of the surrendered individuals expressed their desire for a peaceful and dignified life within the constitutional framework.

The surrendered group included members from various Naxalite factions and leadership positions. Notably, four were part of PLGA Battalion No. 1, several held roles in area committees, and others were platoon members or militia commanders. A substantial majority, 39 out of the 41, were associated with the south sub-zonal bureau, linked to key committees and regional divisions of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit.

Nine of the surrendered Naxalites, including Pandru Hapka alias Mohan and Manjula Hemla, each carried a substantial reward of Rs 8 lakh on their heads. The total bounty on the 32 individuals amounted to Rs 1.19 crore, underscoring their former roles within the organization. Other cadres had bounties ranging from Rs 5 lakh down to Rs 1 lakh, reflecting their varying levels of involvement.

Since January 2024 alone, Bijapur has witnessed the surrender of 790 Maoist cadres. This latest group joins a growing number of individuals choosing to abandon violence. The police department is actively encouraging remaining Naxalites to return to mainstream society, assuring them of a secure and self-reliant future through rehabilitation policies and initiatives like ‘Poona Margham’.

Emphasizing a strict stance against the Naxals, the Home Minister asserted that security forces would give a befitting reply to those disrupting peace in Bastar through violence. He appealed to the tribal communities to persuade the youth in their villages to lay down their arms, join the mainstream, and contribute to Bastar’s development. Shah made it clear that the governments are dedicated to the development of Bastar and every Naxal-affected area and urged the Maoists to surrender, highlighting the attractive surrender policy. He warned that armed forces would strongly respond to any attempts to disturb the peace of Bastar through violence and reiterated the goal of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Shah criticized Naxalism for hindering development, stating that it prevented progress from reaching the tribal communities. He contrasted the situation with the advancements made in other areas of the country, such as electricity, water, roads, sanitation, health insurance, and subsidized food grains, while acknowledging that Bastar lagged behind due to Naxalism.

Shah assured the people of Bastar, on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that Naxalism would not impede their development or rights after March 31st of the following year. He appealed to the people of Bastar to dissuade those who have been misguided by Naxalism, urging them to surrender and join the mainstream. He mentioned that the Chhattisgarh government has implemented the best surrender policy in the country, with over 500 people surrendering in a single month. He emphasized that no one benefits from Naxalism, and villages declared Naxal-free would receive one crore rupees from the Chhattisgarh government for their development.

Shah also shared that he had offered prayers at the Dantewari Mai temple in Jagdalpur, seeking blessings for the security forces to rid the entire Bastar region of ‘red terror’ by March 31, 2026. Before his address, the Home Minister visited the Dantewari temple for worship and participated in the traditional Muriya Darbar, held as part of the world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival. He interacted with priests and leaders of the tribal community during the Muriya Darbar.

Speaking at the Bastar Dussehra Lokotsav 2025 and Swadeshi Mela event held at Lalbagh Parade Ground in Jagdalpur, Amit Shah reiterated the resolve to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31st of the following year.

Shah, taking a stern stance on the Naxalites, stated that security forces would give a befitting reply to those disrupting peace in Bastar through violence. He appealed to the tribal communities, urging them to persuade the youth in their villages to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream, participating in the development of Bastar.

He made it clear that the governments, both in Chhattisgarh and at the center, are dedicated to the development of Bastar and all Naxal-affected areas. He emphasized the attractive surrender policy and urged them to surrender. Shah warned that if anyone tries to disrupt the peace of Bastar through violence, the armed forces will respond strongly, and Naxalism will be eradicated from the country by March 31, 2026.

Central Home Minister termed Naxalism as an impediment to development, stating that some people in Delhi had spread the misconception that Naxalism was a struggle for development. He clarified to the tribal communities that their development was hindered by Naxalism. He emphasized that now, every village in the country has access to electricity, drinking water, roads, toilets in every house, health insurance up to five lakh rupees, five kilograms of free rice, and arrangements to provide 3100 rupees per quintal for their paddy, but Bastar has lagged behind due to Naxalism.

Amit Shah announced that villages declared Naxal-free would receive one crore rupees for their development.

He assured that after March 31st of the next year, Naxalites will not be able to hinder development or rights, highlighting the work done and remaining to be done.

Appealing to the people of Bastar to distance themselves from Naxalism, Amit Shah urged them to persuade the misguided youth, who are from their own villages, to surrender their weapons and join the mainstream. He praised the Chhattisgarh government for establishing the best surrender policy in the country, with over 500 people surrendering in a month. He emphasized that no one benefits from Naxalism.

Additionally, Amit Shah visited the Dantewari temple in Jagdalpur for prayers and sought blessings from the goddess, praying for the strength of the security forces to free the entire Bastar region from the ‘red terror’ by March 31, 2026.

Prior to this, he participated in the traditional Muriya Darbar held as part of the world-famous Bastar Dussehra festival, where he interacted with priests and leaders from the tribal community.

The surrender ceremony was attended by DIG (Dantewada Range) Kamlochan Kashyap, IG (CRPF Sector) BS Negi, and Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav. All the Naxalites were provided a check for an immediate assistance amount of 50,000 rupees under the new surrender and rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government.

SP Yadav said that the government’s policy is encouraging Maoists to return to the mainstream. The families of those who surrendered want them to live normal lives. He appealed to the remaining Naxalites to return to their families and society. According to the authorities, 410 Naxalites have surrendered in Bijapur district alone this year, while 421 Naxalites have been arrested and 137 Maoists have been killed.

Several major Naxalite commanders were also among those who surrendered on Thursday. These included Lachhu Punem alias Santosh, the communication commander of the Southern Sub-Zonal Bureau; Guddu Farsa alias Vijay of Company No. 10; and Bhima Sodhi alias Kamal Singh/Sukhdev, the PPCM and security guard commander. A reward of eight lakh rupees was declared on each of these three. In addition, area committee leaders, RPCs, militia commanders, and members of the Janatana Sarkar were also among those who surrendered.

According to the police list, most of the Naxalites belong to the Muriya tribe and are between 18 and 40 years old. They are associated with the rural areas of the Bhairamgarh, Gangalur, and Nelsonar police station areas.

The Chhattisgarh government implemented a new Naxalite surrender and rehabilitation policy in 2025, with the aim of making the state Naxal-free by March 2026.

Plans for the Naxalites upon surrender include a maximum assistance of 5 lakh rupees for land and housing, an immediate incentive of 50,000 rupees, and special schemes for the education and employment of the Naxalites’ children. Those with a reward of 5 lakh or more will receive residential land in urban areas or agricultural land in rural areas, or property assistance of 2 lakh rupees. Unmarried, widowed, or widower Naxalites will receive assistance of 1 lakh rupees for marriage within three years. Police personnel and other individuals who help in the surrender will receive 10 percent of the declared reward amount or a maximum of 5 lakh rupees. If all the Naxalites surrender from a panchayat area, 4 crore rupees will be approved for development work there. In the case of mass surrender, the incentive amount will be doubled. Those who recover weapons and explosives will be given a separate amount of reward.

According to the Bijapur police, frustration has increased in the Maoist organization due to the continuous loss of leadership, internal differences, the impact of road and development works, and the increasing actions of the security forces. The central government has set a target to eliminate Naxalism from the country by 2026, due to which the campaign has been intensified. The establishment of new security camps, road schemes, and community policing have encouraged Naxalites to surrender. The joint action of DRG, District Force, STF, and Cobra Battalion has also played a major role in this.

These Naxalites took the step to surrender, influenced by the Chhattisgarh government’s Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 and the Niyat Nellanar scheme. The government has sent a clear message that those who want to leave the path of violence and join the society will not only receive respect, but also a new life. Those who surrendered were given an incentive of 50,000 rupees. Those who surrendered with weapons were given additional rewards, such as 15,000 for an LMG and 10,000 for an IED.

According to officials, the situation has changed so much today that the Naxalites who surrender have become the strength of the security forces. They have been included in the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and their local experience is proving to be the biggest asset for the security forces.

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai called this surrender a victory of peace and development on Vijayadashami. He said that the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 and the Niyat Nellanar scheme have instilled faith in the hearts of the people. The surrender of 103 Naxalites in Bijapur is proof of this. Our goal is to make Chhattisgarh completely Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.

In Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, 71 Naxals surrendered, laying down their arms before Superintendent of Police Gaurav Roy and CRPF officials. These surrendering Naxals include 30 Naxals with rewards totaling 64 lakhs. All these Naxals have surrendered under the Loan Varraatu campaign. This information was provided by Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai himself.

Continuous search operations by security forces in Naxal-affected areas are now showing results. Naxals are surrendering in the face of the government’s strategy and the extraordinary courage of the security forces. Recently, 71 Naxals surrendered in Dantewada and are joining the mainstream. This is considered a major achievement for the security forces and the government.

According to information, all these surrendered Naxals were involved in many incidents. Now, these surrendered Naxals will be provided assistance for skill development. Along with this, daily necessities were provided to the surrendered Naxals by the district administration under the rehabilitation scheme.

Dantewada SP Gaurav Rai informed that a total of 71 Naxals surrendered, influenced by the ‘Rehabilitation to Rebirth’ campaign and the Loan Varraatu campaign. These Naxals include 30 Maoists with rewards totaling 64 lakhs. Among these surrendering Naxals, there are 21 women and 50 men.