In a significant development for security forces in Chhattisgarh, twenty-six Maoist insurgents, including several mid-level commanders collectively carrying rewards worth ₹64 lakh, have renounced violence and surrendered. The event took place on Wednesday in the Sukma district, a region long affected by Left Wing Extremism, under the state government's "Puna Margeim: rehabilitation to new life" initiative.
A Historic Blow to Maoist Network
Police officials have hailed this as a historic surrender that deals a substantial blow to the underground network in the south Bastar region, one of the last remaining Maoist strongholds. The group that laid down arms comprises seven women and members from key Maoist units, including the PLGA battalion number 1, the South Bastar division, the Marh division, and the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) zone.
The surrendered individuals held various ranks within the Maoist hierarchy, such as Central Youth Provincial Committee Member (CYPCM), Divisional Committee Member (DVCM), Party People's Committee Member (PPCM), and Area Committee Member (ACM). Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan stated that many are alleged to have been involved in some of the most lethal attacks in the Sukma, Abujhmarh, and adjoining areas of Odisha.
Profiles and Past Allegations
The 26 cadres primarily hail from the interior pockets of Jagragunda, Bhejji, Konta, Tongpal in Sukma, and neighbouring Bijapur district. Most belong to the Muria tribal community. Officials revealed that several had spent over a decade in the outlawed organisation, serving in various capacities from village-level fronts and militia units to armed platoons and divisional supply teams.
Police have linked members of this surrendered group to several high-casualty attacks on security forces, including:
- The 2017 IED blast on the Sonabeda-Koraput road, which killed 14 security personnel.
- The 2020 Minpa forest ambush in Sukma that resulted in 17 deaths.
- The 2021 Teklaguda attack where 22 jawans lost their lives.
- The 2023 ambush in the Jagragunda area that claimed the lives of three jawans.
Rehabilitation and a Call for Peace
Under the provisions of the state's 2025 surrender and rehabilitation policy, each of the surrendered Maoists will receive an immediate incentive of ₹50,000. They are also eligible to claim their declared individual reward amounts, which collectively total ₹64 lakh, along with other benefits aimed at facilitating their reintegration into society. These benefits include assistance for housing, livelihood, and overall rehabilitation.
Authorities reiterated that this surrender exemplifies a pathway to peace. They issued a clear message to those still in the underground movement, stating that "the only option left" is to abandon violence, embrace peace and development, and return to mainstream life. This event marks a continued effort by security and state agencies to weaken the Maoist insurgency through a combination of operational pressure and persuasive rehabilitation policies.
