In a significant development for anti-Naxal operations and peace efforts in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, 63 Maoist cadres, including 36 with bounties totaling Rs 1.19 crore, surrendered before security forces on Friday.
The surrender ceremony occurred at the District Reserve Guard office in Dantewada. The surrendered cadres, consisting of 18 women and 45 men, were active in various divisions in the region and parts of neighboring Odisha.
The mass surrender is credited to the ‘Puna Margam’ campaign by Dantewada Police, aimed at encouraging Maoists to renounce violence and integrate into society. This initiative is viewed as a crucial step towards achieving lasting peace and progress in the area.
Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam hailed the surrender as a transformative move towards peace, dignity, and overall development. The event was attended by senior officers from various security forces and police units.
Forces like DRG, Bastar Fighters, and CRPF played a pivotal role in persuading the cadres to surrender. Under Chhattisgarh’s Naxal Rehabilitation Policy, each surrendered cadre will receive assistance, including Rs 50,000, skill development training, and other benefits provided by the state government.
