During a public event, the surrendered Naxalites were presented before the media, where local village heads (Manjhis) welcomed them with roses and copies of the Indian Constitution — symbolizing peace and reintegration into society.
Part of “Poona Margam” Rehabilitation Drive
According to officials, the surrendered group consisted of members from the Kuemari and Kiskodo area committees under the Keskal division. They surrendered under the ‘Poona Margam – New Path to Life through Rehabilitation’ initiative, aimed at encouraging Naxal cadres to join the social mainstream.
The Naxalites handed over 18 weapons, including 3 AK-47 rifles, 4 SLRs, 2 INSAS rifles, six .303 rifles, two single-barrel guns, and one BGL launcher. Police officials said that following this surrender, the Mada division of the Indravati area committee has been nearly dismantled.
“Still Time to Surrender,” Says Bastar IG
Bastar Range IG P. Sundarraj stated that the Naxal central committee, which once had 45 members, has now shrunk to just 6–7 active members. He appealed to those still hiding in the forests of south Bastar to surrender, assuring that security forces are fully prepared and that the government’s doors remain open for rehabilitation.
Linked to Earlier Mass Surrender
The surrender follows a leaflet issued on October 17 by the Naxals’ Mada division, hinting that several members would soon lay down arms. That same day, Rupesh, a senior central committee member, along with 210 Naxalites, had surrendered in Jagdalpur.
292 Naxalites Surrender in Just 10 Days
In the last ten days, 292 Naxalites have surrendered across Bastar and Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli region — 231 in Bastar and 61 in Gadchiroli.
Experts have called this wave of surrenders a major success for Chhattisgarh’s anti-Naxal strategy, signaling a rapid decline in insurgent activity across the region.
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