In a significant development for anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, seven members of the banned CPI (Maoist) organization surrendered before police authorities on Friday, effectively dismantling the entire Udanti Area Committee of the Gariyaband-Dhamtari-Nuapada division.
Complete Surrender of Maoist Leadership
The surrendered Maoists, who were all active under the Udanti Area Committee, included four women and three men carrying a combined cash bounty of ₹37 lakh on their heads. According to Raipur range Inspector General Amresh Mishra, the group laid down six sophisticated weapons including an SLR, three INSAS rifles, and a single-shot firearm that they brought from the forest.
Police officials described this as a "complete surrender of cadres of Udanti Area committee of Maoists" that effectively marks the end of this particular committee, which had been one of the last remaining Maoist structures in the division operating since 2010.
Key Members and Their Bounties
The surrendered cadres include area commander Sunil and his wife committee secretary Erina, both carrying ₹8 lakh bounties each. Interestingly, Sunil hails from Haryana while all other members are from South Chhattisgarh.
Other identified members were:
- Ludron (₹5 lakh reward)
- Vidya (₹5 lakh reward)
- Nandini (₹5 lakh reward)
- Malesh (₹5 lakh reward)
- Kanti (₹1 lakh reward)
The group had been active since 2010 and was involved in multiple violent activities including attacks on security forces, IED blasts, torching vehicles, and acts of sabotage targeting road and forest projects across the Gariyaband-Dhamtari belt.
The Psychological Victory
This surrender follows a written appeal issued by Maoist commander Sunil of the Udanti area committee on October 18, where he actively asked fellow cadres to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream. His appeal came just a day after 210 Maoists had surrendered in Bastar.
In his letter, Sunil acknowledged that "conditions are no longer favourable for armed struggle" amid sustained security operations, stating "We have already lost many important comrades. The right decision must be taken while there's still time." This appeal ultimately prompted the rest of his group to follow his lead.
Security forces have described this development as a "psychological victory" against Left Wing Extremism, noting that consistent pressure from CRPF, CoBRA units, and district police teams has successfully cornered Maoist leaders and cut off their supply routes in the Udanti and adjoining forest corridors.
IG Amresh Mishra commended Gariaband SP Nikhil Rakhecha for his consistent engagement and strategic outreach planning that directly led to this significant surrender. The decision to lay down arms is seen as a strategic blow to the Maoist presence in southern Gariyaband, which once served as a crucial corridor linking Bastar to Odisha's Nuapada division.
This surrender represents one of the major breakthroughs in recent anti-Maoist operations and signals a potential turning point in the ongoing efforts to establish lasting peace in the conflict-affected regions of Chhattisgarh.
