Six Maoists surrender with arms in Kanker, rehab push gathers pace in Bastar

RAIPUR: Six Maoist cadres, including five from the Rajnandgaon–Kanker border division and one from PLGA have surrendered before police in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district, marking a fresh boost to the ongoing surrender and rehabilitation drive in Bastar range.Kanker SP Nikhil Rakhecha said the cadres, who had been active in the border division, decided to give up violence and join the mainstream. Those who surrendered have been identified as area committee members (ACMs) Mangesh Podiyami, Ganesh VK, Mangti Jurri, Hidme Markam alias Sunita, and Raje, along with PPCM-level cadre Swaroopa Usendi of PLGA company five.Police said the surrendered cadres deposited three firearms, including one SLR and two .303 rifles.

Officials added that based on inputs provided by the surrendered cadres, efforts are underway to establish contact with other active Maoists in the region and persuade them to lay down arms.Authorities said formal procedures for their rehabilitation, including reintegration into society and official handover of weapons, will be completed as per policy.Bastar range IG P Sundarraj reiterated his appeal to remaining Maoist cadres to shun violence and return to the mainstream, assuring support under the govt's rehabilitation policy.Officials said more than 2,700 Maoist cadres have joined the mainstream in the past 26 months under the surrender and rehabilitation policy.