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.

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.