In a big win for Chhattisgarh’s battle against Left Wing Extremism, 71 Maoists laid down their weapons and surrendered in Dantewada district on Wednesday. This mass surrender stands out as one of the biggest breakthroughs in recent anti-Maoist efforts in the region.
The event happened as part of the state’s key Lon Varratu campaign, which aims to bring peace to Maoist-affected areas. Dantewada’s Superintendent of Police, Gaurav Rai, shared with reporters that 30 of the surrendered Maoists had bounties on their heads, from Rs 50,000 up to Rs 8 lakh each. That adds up to a whopping Rs 6.4 million in total rewards the government no longer has to pay out.
Security forces stepped up their operations in the area, taking out several top Maoist leaders in recent clashes. Without any official peace talks from the government side, many of these fighters have grown tired of the violence and want to rejoin mainstream society instead, Rai explained.
The BJP-led government under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has made wiping out Left Wing Extremism a top priority since taking over from the previous Congress administration. Following Home Minister Amit Shah’s push for stronger action, forces have neutralized 466 Maoists and seen more than 1,700 others surrender across the state.
CM Sai celebrated the news on his X account, crediting the state’s new Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 and the Niyed Nella Naar scheme. “People who were misled by Maoist violence are now picking the road to development and peace,” he said. He pointed out that campaigns like Poona Margem in Bastar and Lon Varratu in Dantewada played a key role in convincing these 71 Maoists to turn themselves in.
Each person who surrendered gets Rs 50,000 as a starting incentive to build a new life, plus full access to benefits under the anti-LWE policy. Sai noted that more than 1,770 Maoists have come back to the mainstream since December 2023, showing how much trust is growing in the government’s support programs.
The state aims to end Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026. Officials say they’re focused on bringing lasting peace to Bastar and helping former Maoists live with dignity.
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