Bijapur, March 13, 2025 – Seventeen Naxalites, including nine with a combined bounty of Rs 24 lakh, surrendered in Bijapur district on Thursday, citing disappointment with Maoist ideology and growing pressure from security forces.
The cadres, including a couple, laid down arms before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials. According to Bijapur Senior Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, they were disillusioned by the “hollow and inhuman” Maoist ideology and the exploitation of tribals by senior cadres. They were also influenced by the ‘Niya Nellanar’ (Your Good Village) scheme, which has been improving infrastructure and basic amenities in remote areas.
Among those surrendering was Dinesh Modiam (36), a divisional committee member wanted in 26 cases in Bijapur. He carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh. His wife, Jyoti Tati (32), and Dula Karam (32), both area committee members, had bounties of Rs 5 lakh each. Six other surrendered Naxalites had rewards of Rs 1 lakh each on their heads.
The District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force, and the CRPF’s elite CoBRA unit played key roles in securing the surrender. Each surrendered cadre received Rs 25,000 as assistance and will be rehabilitated under the government’s reintegration program.
So far in 2025, 65 Naxalites have surrendered in Bijapur. In 2024, a total of 792 Naxalites surrendered across the Bastar region, which includes seven districts.
