In a significant development for security forces in Chhattisgarh, twenty-six Maoist insurgents, including several mid-level commanders, laid down their arms and surrendered in the Sukma district on Wednesday. This mass surrender is seen as a substantial setback for the underground network in one of the region's last remaining Left Wing Extremism strongholds.
Who Surrendered and Their Alleged Roles
The surrendered group, which included seven women, collectively carried bounties totalling Rs 64 lakh on their heads. Police described them as being involved in some of South Bastar's deadliest attacks over recent years. The cadres hailed from various interior pockets of Sukma and neighbouring Bijapur districts, predominantly from the Muria tribal community.
Their ranks within the banned organisation varied, including Central Youth Provincial Committee Member (CYPCM), Divisional Committee Member (DVCM), Party People's Committee Member (PPCM), and Area Committee Member (ACM). Many had spent over a decade in the underground movement, working in village-level fronts, militia units, local organisation squads, and armed platoons.
Links to Major Attacks and Police Statement
According to Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, the surrendered individuals were allegedly involved in several major incidents. These include:
- The 2017 IED blast on the Sonabeda–Koraput road that killed 14 security personnel.
- The 2020 Minpa forest ambush in Sukma which resulted in the deaths of 17 personnel.
- The 2021 Teklaguda attack where 22 jawans lost their lives.
- A 2023 ambush in the Jagragunda area that claimed the lives of 3 jawans.
SP Chavan stated that the cadres largely belonged to the PLGA battalion number 1, the South Bastar division, the Marh division, and the Andhra–Odisha Border (AOB) zone. He termed the event a "historic surrender" that further weakens the Maoist structure in the area.
Rehabilitation Under "Puna Margeim" Policy
The surrender took place under the state government's "Puna Margeim: Rehabilitation to new life" campaign. As per the 2025 surrender and rehabilitation policy, each of the 26 individuals will receive an immediate incentive of Rs 50,000. This is in addition to the reward amounts declared on them and other comprehensive rehabilitation benefits.
These benefits are designed to facilitate their reintegration into mainstream society and include assistance for housing, livelihood development, and other necessary support systems. Officials reiterated the government's stance, stating that for those still in the underground movement, "the only option left" is to renounce violence, embrace peace and development, and return to normal life.
The event marks a continued push by security and administrative forces to encourage surrenders through a combination of sustained operations and a clear rehabilitation pathway, aiming to erode the Maoist influence from its core areas in Bastar.
