66 Naxals with Rs 2.27 crore bounty surrender across Chhattisgarh's Bastar

In a boost to anti-Naxal operations, 66 Naxalites, including senior operatives and women cadres, surrendered across five districts of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. The surrender took place in Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur, Kanker, and Sukma, where police and paramilitary forces received the insurgents, many of whom were involved in high-profile attacks, extortion networks, and arms training camps.

The cumulative bounty on the surrendered Maoists exceeds Rs 2.27 crore, with several individuals being long-time fugitives involved in ambushes against security personnel and violent disruption of infrastructure.

Kanker saw the surrender of 13 Naxals, including 5 women cadres. Among them was a company commander who handled tactical operations and logistics in the North Bastar zone. Others were reportedly involved in extortion from villagers and attacks on road-opening parties. The total bounty declared on the group was Rs 62 lakh.

All the surrendered Maoists will be rehabilitated under Poona Margham, Chhattisgarh’s flagship surrender and reintegration policy. The scheme is designed to help disillusioned insurgents reintegrate into society through financial aid, skill development, and employment support.

Over 1,400 Naxals have surrendered under Poona Margham since 2023, signaling a decisive shift in the Maoist landscape of Bastar.

Speaking to India Today, P Sundarraj, Inspector General (Bastar Range), a key figure behind the implementation of the scheme, said, “This surrender wave clearly shows the ideological grip of the Maoist movement is weakening. Their senior cadres are disillusioned with the hollow promises of the outfit. Poona Margham has emerged as a credible path for reintegration and peace.”

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