In a major anti-Naxal breakthrough, 47 Naxalites linked to South Bastar surrendered before Telangana Police, handing over 32 weapons and a large cache of ammunition. Officials said the surrendered cadre included senior operatives from the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZCM), divisional and area-level formations, making it one of the most significant recent setbacks for the Maoist network operating along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border.

According to officials, the surrendered Naxalites were active in different parts of Bastar and collectively carried a bounty of Rs 1.5 crore. The group included senior functionaries, platoon commanders and armed cadre associated with core Maoist structures in South Bastar.

Senior Cadres Included

Among those who surrendered was Hemla Ithu alias Vijja, a DKSZCM member and in-charge of the South Bastar divisional committee. Podiyam Lachhu alias Manoj, identified as the commander of the 9th platoon, also laid down arms along with several other active operatives.

Police said the presence of senior commanders in the surrender group marks a serious organisational setback for the Maoist structure in South Bastar. Officials indicated that the surrender has weakened both leadership and field operations in the region.

Arms and Ammunition Seized

During the surrender, the cadre deposited 32 weapons and 515 live rounds of ammunition. The recovered weapons included one light machine gun, four AK-47 rifles, three SLRs, two INSAS rifles, two muskets, one BGL gun, two air guns, one pistol, one revolver and 12 single-shot firearms.

Officials said the surrender of weapons is significant because it directly reduces the operational capacity of the Maoist network. Security agencies are also examining the recovered arms for intelligence and link analysis.

Why They Surrendered

Telangana Police attributed the surrender to sustained anti-Naxal operations, coordinated intelligence-based action and the state’s rehabilitation policy. According to officials, continuous pressure from police forces in both Telangana and Chhattisgarh narrowed movement corridors and weakened support systems for armed cadres.

Sources indicated that the rehabilitation framework offered by Telangana, along with increasing operational pressure, pushed several cadre members to return to the mainstream. Officials said surrendered cadre would be extended support under the state rehabilitation programme.

Cadre Structure Hit

Police said the surrendered group represented a substantial section of the Maoist chain of command. Of the 47 who surrendered, 28 were linked to DKSZCM, while 15 belonged to the 9th and 30th platoons. The remaining cadre were associated with lower-level support and field units.

Officials described the surrender as a strategic gain in the wider anti-Naxal campaign, particularly in the South Bastar zone where Maoist influence has historically remained strong. Security agencies believe only scattered armed cadre remain active in the affected belt.

Earlier Surrenders Matter

The latest development follows a series of large surrenders in the Bastar region over the past few months. On March 31, 25 Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur. Inputs from that group led security forces to a major Maoist dump containing Rs 3 crore in cash and 7 kg of gold, part of a larger seizure estimated at Rs 14 crore.

Earlier, 34 Naxalites had surrendered across four districts, while another 108 cadre laid down arms in Jagdalpur nearly two months ago. Officials had then said the surrendered group carried rewards worth Rs 3.95 crore and turned over cash, gold and 101 weapons.