Raipur, March 31 – A total of 35 Naxalites surrendered to security forces across five districts in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Tuesday, just hours before the Centre’s March 31 deadline to eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE) ends, officials said.
Of them, 25 cadres, including 12 women, belonging to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of Maoists, surrendered in Bijapur district under the police’s ‘Poona Margem’ (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) initiative, Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattlingam, said.
These 25 cadres were carrying a cumulative reward of Rs 1.47 crore, he said.
In a major breakthrough, security forces also recovered 93 weapons, Rs 2.90 crore in cash, and 7.20 kg of gold valued at around Rs 11.16 crore from Maoist dumps in Bijapur in recent days, he said.
The senior official termed it the highest-ever seizure of valuables from Maoists in the history of anti-Naxal operations in the country.
Earlier, assets worth Rs 5.37 crore, including 1 kg of gold valued at Rs 1.64 crore and Rs 3.73 crore in cash, had been recovered from Maoist dumps earlier this month. With the latest seizures, total recoveries have risen to Rs 19.43 crore, comprising Rs 6.63 crore in cash and 8.20 kg of gold worth Rs 12.80 crore, he said.
The weapons recovered include four AK-47 rifles, nine SLR rifles, one INSAS LMG (light machine gun), seven INSAS rifles, one carbine, twelve .303 rifles, one 8 mm pistol, seven single-shot weapons, 23 barrel grenade launchers (BGLs), three .315 bore rifles and 14 12-bore guns.
Among the prominent cadres who surrendered in Bijapur are company commanders Mangal Korsa alias Motu (42) and Akash alias Phagu Uike (38), and Divisional Committee Member Shankar Muchaki (33), all carrying rewards of Rs 8 lakh each. Area Committee Member Pale Kursam alias Kamli Kursam (40), carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh, is also among those who surrendered.
In Dantewada district, five Maoists belonging to the DKSZC formation, carrying a total bounty of Rs 9 lakh, surrendered before the police and CRPF officials.
They were identified as Bhairamgarh Area Committee member Some Kadti (42), who carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh, and Lakhma Oyam (19), Sarita Podyam (21), Jogi Kalmu (20) and Moti Oyam (19), each carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, the official said.
Based on the information provided by surrendered cadres, security forces recovered 40 weapons from Maoist dumps in the area, including SLRs, INSAS rifles, a carbine, a .303 rifle and BGL launchers, dealing a significant blow to the outfit’s armed capability, Pattilingam said.
In Sukma district, two cadres – Janila alias Madkam Hindme (around 30) and Soni alias Madvi Kosi (24) – surrendered and both carried rewards of Rs 8 lakh each.
A Maoist dump was also unearthed in the district, leading to the recovery of Rs 10 lakh in cash, an INSAS LMG, two AK-47 rifles, three .303 rifles and ammunition, he said.
In Kanker district, two cadres – Shankar, a platoon party committee member, and Hidma Dodi, a platoon member – surrendered and handed over an AK-47 rifle.
In Narayanpur, Bijlu Mandavi (26), the last active armed cadre in the district and carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, also surrendered, police said.
The surrender was the result of coordinated efforts by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), district police, Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF), Special Task Force (STF), CoBRA, CRPF and other units of armed forces, officials said.
"We have reached a stage where the vision of a Naxal-free Bastar and Chhattisgarh is being realised. Some work remains, but it will continue.
The coming days will be more positive and peaceful," Pattilingam said.
He added that after decades of violence, Bastar is now moving towards a peaceful future and will increasingly be known for its development, culture and tourism potential.