In a major anti-Naxal operation, 108 Maoist cadres, including 44 women, have surrendered in Chhattisgarh, significantly weakening the insurgency.

In keeping with the pledge earlier made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Chhattisgarh in December 2024 to eradicate the Maoist menace in the state by March 31, 2026, security forces have intensified operations against Left-Wing Extremism. Shah had also lauded the state police for their sustained efforts in combating the insurgency over the past year.Amid this intensified campaign, 108 Maoist cadres, including 44 women, associated with the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) have surrendered and returned to the mainstream of society, marking a significant development in the ongoing anti-Naxalite drive.According to official estimates a total of 108 Maoist cadres, including 44 women, associated with the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) have surrendered and returned to the mainstream of society. Rewards amounting to ₹3.29 crore had been declared on these cadres. Acting on a tip off, security forces conducted a series of operations and recovered 101 lethal weapons from various Maoist dumps. The recovered arms include AK-47 rifles, INSAS rifles, Light Machine Guns (LMGs), and BGL launchers, marking a significant achievement in ongoing anti-Naxalite operations.In another major development, security forces recovered ₹3.61 crore in cash and 1 kilogram of gold worth ₹1.64 crore from a Maoist dump at a single location — the largest cash seizure in the history of India’s anti-Naxal campaign.

Inspired by the initiative “Punha Margam – Punarvas Se Punrjeevan” (Return to the Path – Rehabilitation to Renewal), a total of 2,714 Maoist cadres have abandoned violence and joined the mainstream in Chhattisgarh over the past 26 months.Notably, within the Bastar division, 2,625 Maoist cadres have chosen the path of rehabilitation between January 1, 2024 and March 9, 2026.Several prominent Maoist leaders have also surrendered, acknowledging the futility of the Maoist ideology. These include Rahul Telam, PandruKovasi and JhitruOyam from the West Bastar Division; Ramadhar alias Biru from the East Bastar Division; Mallesh from the North Bastar Division; Muchaki, commander of PLGA Battalion No.1; and KosaMandavi from the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) region.The Government of India and the Chhattisgarh government are implementing policies aimed at ensuring rehabilitation, security and dignified livelihoods for surrendered cadres, facilitating their reintegration into society.The recovery of weapons — including 7 AK-47 rifles, 10 INSAS rifles, 5 SLR rifles, 4 LMGs, 20 .303 rifles and 11 BGL launchers — has dealt a major blow to the operational and military capabilities of the already weakened Maoist organisation.

A major surrender and rehabilitation programmewasorganised on Wednesday at Shaurya Bhawan, Police Coordination Centre, Lalbagh, located at the Bastar Division Headquarters in Jagdalpur under the initiative “Punha Margam – Rehabilitation to Renewal.”During the event, 108 Maoist cadres associated with the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) formally surrendered, renouncing violence and deciding to return to the mainstream of society.The programme was attended by family members of the surrendered cadres, senior citizens, and several top security officials, including Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, Additional Director General (Naxal Operations) Vivekanand, Additional Director General BSF Sivang Namgyal, Bastar Range Inspector General Sundarraj P, CRPF Inspector General Shalin, Chhattisgarh Armed Force IG B.S. Dhruv, along with Superintendents of Police from all seven districts of Bastar division, senior officers of central security forces and district administration.Among those who surrendered were cadres holding different ranks in the Maoist organisation, including five Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs), two zonal-level PLGA company leaders, 15 Platoon Party Committee Members, 21 Area Committee Members, and 63 party members. Rewards amounting to around ₹3.29 crore had been announced on them, making this collective surrender one of the most significant achievements in anti-Naxal operations. Officials described the development as a major milestone towards restoring peace in the region and a reflection of the success of coordinated security and development efforts in Bastar.

Bastar Range IG Sundarraj P said, based on intelligence provided by the surrendered cadres and other sources, security forces carried out operations at multiple locations and recovered 101 weapons, including AK-47 rifles, INSAS rifles, carbines, SLRs, LMGs, .303 rifles, 12-bore rifles, BGL launchers and a 51-mm mortar, along with other war-like stores.District-wise recoveries included 49 weapons from Narayanpur, 24 from Bastar, 12 from Sukma, 9 from Bijapur, 5 from Dantewada, and 2 from Kanker. The seized weapons and materials were displayed during the programme at the Range Headquarters in Jagdalpur.Officials said the initiative aims to provide rehabilitation, security and dignified livelihood opportunities to youth abandoning violence, while strengthening peace, development and trust in the Bastar region. Under the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, the surrendered cadres will receive financial assistance, skill development training, housing, education and employment opportunities, along with continued support from the police and district administration to help them reintegrate into society.Appealing to the remaining Maoist cadres, Bastar Range IG Sundarraj P urged them to give up violence, lay down arms and join the mainstream, assuring that the government remains committed to ensuring their safe, dignified and secure future.