Maoist Surrender Sees 37 Lay Down Arms In Bastar
- Police report major Maoist surrender in South Bastar region
- Officials say Maoist surrender linked to development efforts
The Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh saw a major setback as 37 members surrendered before police officers in the South Bastar region. Officials said the group surrendered in the presence of Dantewada District Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai. They noted that 27 among them were active Maoists, many carrying rewards. Police stated that the total reward amount reached Rs 65 lakh. They also confirmed that 10 militia members surrendered and said they had laid down their arms while supporting government policies.
SP Gaurav Rai said that the 37 Maoists had joined the mainstream in Dantewada district. He added that 12 women were among those who surrendered. As per government policy, officials will give each surrendered Maoist immediate assistance of Rs 50,000. He said the presence of Maoists in South Bastar had been declining for some time. He noted that this development had gained speed after the latest surrender.
Police officials said the surrendered militia members played key roles in several incidents in the past. They added that the group had earlier worked in areas such as Gompad, Jangampal and Gunroom. According to officials, the members had tracked the movement of security forces. They were also involved in attacks, firing and planting of IEDs on police and security personnel during 2019 and 2020.
Officials said the recent Maoist surrender reflected the impact of development-focused government programs. They added that continuous police operations had also reduced Maoist activity across the region. They described the surrender as a significant step toward peace in South Bastar. Security forces expect more surrenders in the coming days. They believe such steps will further bring Maoist members into the mainstream.
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