Maoists offer surrender in letter to Chhattisgarh HM, seek safety assurance

RAIPUR: CPI (Maoist) of Balangir–Bargarh–Mahasamund division (BBM) in a four page letter addressed to Chhattisgarh home minister Vijay Sharma said that 15 armed cadres have decided to “return to the mainstream” and are preparing to surrender in Mahasamund district.

The signatory, “Vikas”, designated himself as western sub-zonal bureau secretary, linked to the Odisha state committee, and claims the group includes 14 cadres from Chhattisgarh and one from Telangana. The letter sought a public assurance of safety via radio, saying the group would come out only after hearing the govt's promise, and indicated a tentative timeline of March 2–3 to surface after internal coordination.

"One division of Maoists has written a letter expressing their wish to join the mainstream. They have asked to send the reply via radio and today we are releasing the reply and we will try to contact them. We will ensure their security, health and facility. We will try best that they get rehabilitated not just physically but mentally also," said home minister Vijay Sharma.The letter also sought from authorities to halt combing operations and stop “pressure” on villagers, warning that sightings of police movement could scatter the group and make regrouping difficult.

Revealing that the cadres are currently in Odisha but chose Chhattisgarh for surrender as most members are “Bastar comrades”, and have asked for time till March 1 to finalise a “receiving plan” through a former Maoist named Sagar.Further giving a suggestion to be considered, which will also attract all the remaining cadres to surrender, the letter stated, "If the Maoist party abandons armed struggle and expresses faith in the Constitution, it should be given recognition as a political party. Police cases against Maoists should be withdrawn, and those Maoists currently in jail should also be released. They should be allowed to work openly within the framework of the Indian Constitution. If the government announces these three points, even those in jail will give up the idea of armed struggle. This is our belief,"The development comes a day after minister Sharma, told reporters in Raipur that “those who chose violence for decades are now returning to the mainstream,” describing recent surrenders of top Maoist leaders in Telangana as a body blow to the insurgent movement.

Sharma reiterated that the Centre and state are “firm” on the stated goal of making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by March 31. Sharma also cited operational gains, saying security forces recovered and destroyed 89 explosive devices during a special operation in the difficult Karregutta hills.Officials assessing the letter’s authenticity and feasibility of the proposed “safe corridor” demands, even as the government continues to push surrender-and-rehabilitation messaging alongside intensified operations in remaining Maoist pockets.