In a significant development, 15 Maoists, including nine women and six men linked to the Balangir-Bargarh-Mahasamund (BBM) committee, surrendered with weapons in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district. The surrendered Maoists, led by Vikas alias Babanna, a State Committee Member (SCM), handed over 14 weapons, including 3 AK-47s, to authorities. This surrender, with a total bounty of around Rs 73 lakh on their heads, is considered a major success in the state’s anti-Naxal campaign.
State Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma hailed the surrender as a significant achievement, emphasizing that these individuals have chosen to abandon violence and reintegrate into society. The surrender is attributed to the combined efforts of security forces, development projects in remote areas, and the state government’s rehabilitation policy. The Chhattisgarh government aims to eliminate Maoism from the state by March 2026, with a noticeable increase in surrenders since 2024, indicating a positive shift in the region’s security landscape.
Security forces credit the rise in surrenders to intensified operations, enhanced infrastructure, educational and healthcare facilities, and livelihood programs in former Maoist strongholds. The surrendered Maoists will now benefit from financial aid, vocational training, job opportunities, and long-term security measures for themselves and their families. This surrender not only boosts the morale of security personnel but also signals a decline in Naxal influence along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha border, paving the way for sustained peace in the region.
