Surrendered Maoist Commander Makes Emotional Plea to Remaining Guerrillas in Gadchiroli
In a heartfelt appeal on Saturday, surrendered Maoist woman commander Sangeeta Usendi urged holed-up guerrillas in Gadchiroli to abandon the jungle and join the mainstream. The wife of former Maoist Giridhar, Sangeeta delivered her message as the deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate Maoist violence nationwide approaches in just nine days.
"Your Family Is Waiting for You"
Sangeeta Usendi, who carried a bounty of Rs 16 lakh declared by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh governments before her surrender, made an emotional call to the remaining insurgents. "Your parents and family are waiting for you. For their happiness and your own future, surrender now, accept the Constitution, and live a dignified life," she said.
Reflecting on her 22 years in the jungle, Sangeeta shared her realization about the futility of violence. "I realized that violence achieves nothing. It only plunges your life and your family into darkness. That is why I chose the constitutional path," she explained.
Shrinking Maoist Presence in Gadchiroli
The appeal comes as the once-formidable Maoist presence in Gadchiroli has dramatically diminished. From spanning all 10 subdivisions, their operations are now confined to a border pocket in Bhamragad taluka. Only six hardened Maoists remain active in the forests, with security forces on high alert and C-60 commandos prepared for final action if needed.
Of these six guerrillas, Jayaram Gawade is a Gadchiroli native, while the remaining five—including four women cadres—hail from neighboring Chhattisgarh. Sangeeta's plea is seen as a last-minute effort to provide a lifeline to her former comrades and bring closure to the decades-long insurgency.
Sangeeta's Journey and Surrender
Known as Lalita during her Maoist days, Sangeeta served as divisional vice-committee member in the Bhamragad Local Organisational Squad. She joined the movement in 2006 with the Kasansur local organisational squad and remained active until 2011. After being transferred to Nainpur in Chhattisgarh, she operated in the Maad area from 2011 to 2020 before moving to south Gadchiroli, where she rose to a key leadership position.
Eighteen serious offences were registered against her, including seven encounters and one case of arson. Her husband, Giridhar, carried a bounty of Rs 25 lakh. The couple surrendered on June 22, 2024, laying down their arms before Gadchiroli police in the presence of then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Government Rehabilitation Policy Offers Strong Incentives
The state's surrender and rehabilitation policy provides substantial incentives for Maoists who choose to return to mainstream society. These include:
- Financial aid ranging from Rs 4 to 8.5 lakh per person, with additional support for couples and groups
- Assistance with essential documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and bank accounts
- Housing support and education for children
- Vocational training and employment opportunities
- Security provisions for surrendered individuals
Since 2025, over 123 Maoists have surrendered in Gadchiroli alone, contributing to a total of nearly 800 surrenders under the policy nationwide. As the March 31 deadline approaches, authorities remain hopeful that Sangeeta's personal testimony and the comprehensive rehabilitation package will convince the remaining guerrillas to follow her example.
