Raipur/Sukma – Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district has achieved another major breakthrough in its anti-Naxal operations, with ten Maoists from the Darbha division surrendering before security forces.
The group, which carried a cumulative reward of Rs 33 lakh, included Medium Bhima, who alone had an Rs 8 lakh bounty. Six of the ten surrendered cadres were women. They handed over an AK-47 rifle, two SLRs, and a barrel grenade launcher (BGL), formally committing to the rehabilitation policies of the central and state governments.
The surrender ceremony was attended by Bastar Inspector General P. Sundarraj, CRPF DIG Anand Singh Rajpurohit, Sukma SP Kiran Chavan, and Collector Devesh Dhruv.
Officials reaffirmed that the rehabilitation policy ensures dignity, livelihood support, and seamless reintegration for those who renounce violence.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai welcomed the development on his X handle, calling it part of the historic transformation underway in Bastar under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He highlighted the impact of the “Poona Margem – Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation” initiative, which is enabling Maoist cadres to return to mainstream life with safety and dignity.
“Our goal is clear: to make Chhattisgarh completely Maoist-free and to give Bastar a new identity rooted in development, trust, and opportunities,” he said.
The surrendered cadres include:
Medium Bhima (Rs 8 lakh), Ganga Kunjam (Rs 5 lakh), Lekam Rama (Rs 5 lakh), Tati Soni (Rs 5 lakh), Shanti Sodi (Rs 5 lakh), Madvi Naveen (Rs 1 lakh), Madvi Rukni (Rs 1 lakh), Oyam Mangli (Rs 1 lakh), Podiyam Mangi (Rs 1 lakh), and Madvi Gangi (Rs 1 lakh).
Umesh Sundam, district president of Sarva Adivasi Samaj, urged remaining youth still associated with Maoist groups to surrender, noting significant changes across Bastar. He pointed out that even senior cadres in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra are laying down arms. The development follows another major surrender of 11 Maoists — including CCM member Ramdher Majji — in Khairagarh. Majji, a long-wanted top leader of the MMC zone, is believed to have overseen a structure now largely dismantled.
With the recent killing of notorious commander Hidma and consistent surrenders across the region, security agencies anticipate more Maoists to return to mainstream society.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to visit Chhattisgarh next week, a visit seen as significant for consolidating counter-insurgency gains.
–IANS