103 Maoists Surrender in Chhattisgarh: Rs 50,000 Rehabilitation Package Offered to Former Extremists

In Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, 103 Maoists surrendered to authorities on Thursday, marking one of the largest single-day surrenders of left-wing extremists in the state.

Among those who turned themselves in were 22 women, with 49 of the cadres carrying a collective bounty exceeding Rs 1 crore, according to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav.

The surrendered Maoists expressed disillusionment with what they described as a "hollow" Maoist ideology and cited internal conflicts within the banned CPI (Maoist) organization as reasons for their decision.

Senior officials from both the police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were present to receive the surrendering cadres, who had been impressed by the development initiatives being implemented throughout the Bastar region.

The rehabilitation programs that particularly influenced their decision included "Poona Margem," a social reintegration initiative by Bastar Range police, the "Niyad Nellanar" (your good village) scheme aimed at developing remote areas, and the state's comprehensive surrender and rehabilitation policy.

Notable among those who surrendered was Lachhu Punem, also known as Santosh, a 36-year-old divisional committee member who carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh. Other high-value targets included Guddu Farsa, Bhima Sodhi, Hidme Farsa, and Sukhmati Oyam, all platoon party committee members also carrying rewards of Rs 8 lakh each.

The remaining cadres carried various bounties: four with Rs 5 lakh each, fifteen with Rs 2 lakh each, ten with Rs 1 lakh each, twelve with Rs 50,000 each, and three with Rs 10,000 each.

SP Yadav highlighted that many Revolutionary Party Committee (RPC) members were among those surrendering, attributing this to the recent trend of Maoist leaders either being eliminated by security forces or choosing to surrender.

With this latest development, Bijapur district has seen 410 Maoists surrender and 421 others arrested so far in the current year.

"Terms of the government's rehabilitation policy have been encouraging Maoists to shun violence. The families of those who surrender also want them to live a normal life and integrate with society," stated the SP, who urged remaining Maoists to rejoin mainstream society.

Each of the surrendered individuals received immediate assistance of Rs 50,000 and will benefit from further rehabilitation measures under government policy.