51 Naxalites, Including 20 Carrying Rs 66 Lakh Bounty, Surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur

Bijapur, October 29, 2025: In a major breakthrough for Chhattisgarh’s anti-Naxal operations, 51 Naxalites — including 20 with a combined bounty of ₹66 lakh — surrendered before police in Bijapur district on Wednesday. Among them were nine women who decided to return to the mainstream, citing faith in the state government’s rehabilitation policy and development programs.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the mass surrender as a milestone in the government’s efforts to eliminate Naxalism. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s guidance, the country is rapidly moving toward a Naxal-free India,” Sai said in a post on X.

According to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, the surrenders took place under the ‘Poona Margham–Punarwas se Punarjeevan’ initiative — a rehabilitation campaign launched by the Bastar Range police to help Naxalites reintegrate into society.

Those who laid down arms included five members of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion and company units, one area committee member, seven local organization members, and 20 lower-rung militia cadres.

“Since January 2024, 650 Maoists have surrendered in Bijapur, 196 have been neutralized in encounters, and 986 have been arrested,” Yadav said, crediting the government’s “sensitive and humane approach” for encouraging more insurgents to abandon violence.

The police said all 51 surrendering cadres will undergo formal legal and rehabilitation procedures to reintegrate them into civilian life.

In a separate development, 21 Maoists, including 18 women, who had surrendered in Kanker district on October 26, were formally reintegrated into society during a ceremony at the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare (CTJW) College. They were welcomed by tribal elders and senior officials and presented with copies of the Indian Constitution as a symbol of their return to democratic life.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P described the surrender as evidence of “growing disillusionment among Maoists with a violent and anti-people ideology.” The surrendered cadres had a total reward of ₹85 lakh on their heads and handed over 18 weapons, including three AK-47s, four SLRs, and a Barrel Grenade Launcher.

Kanker SSP Indira Kalyan Elesela confirmed that the surrender effectively dismantled the Kuyemari–Kiskodo area committee, further weakening the Naxal presence in the Keshkal Division.

Sundarraj also urged remaining top Maoist leaders — including Politburo member Devji, Central Committee member Hidma, and DKSZC members Pappa Rao and Barse Deva — to surrender or face decisive operations.

Chief Minister Sai said the recent surrenders reflect “a new era of peace and progress” in Bastar, where the government’s rehabilitation policy and developmental approach have “dispelled the darkness of fear and violence.”