Raipur, Oct 15 – Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said today that the surrender of 27 Maoists in Sukma district marks a “decisive blow” to Naxalism, signaling a fresh start for the troubled Bastar region.
Sai highlighted that the once‑violent area is now turning toward dialogue and progress. “We are nearly at the end of the insurgency,” he told reporters. “Places that were once shrouded in fear are now opening up to trust and development.”
The 27 defectors, including a senior guerrilla commander from the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army and a 53‑year‑old supply‑team leader, laid down their weapons in front of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials. Many of the cadres carried significant bounties—up to ₹50 lakh each—yet they chose to surrender, citing disillusionment with the “hollow” Maoist ideology and frustration over internal abuses against tribal communities.
The group included 10 women and 16 men, all of whom received an immediate grant of ₹50,000. They will also enter a comprehensive rehabilitation program that offers financial aid, vocational training and community integration under the state’s “Naxalite Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025.”
Chairman Sai praised the bravery and humanity of security agencies such as the Chhattisgarh Police, District Reserve Guard, CRPF, CoBRA commandos and the Special Task Force. He said their “sensitive initiatives” and the widespread construction of security camps in remote forests have built confidence among locals.
In his post on X, Sai echoed the national pledge to achieve a Naxal‑free India by 31 March 2026, underscoring the importance of “firm action and compassionate rehabilitation.” He credited this dual approach to the success of the “Niyad Nella Naar” scheme, which focuses on building infrastructure in 44 hard‑to‑reach villages, thereby eroding the Maoist foothold.
This surrender is part of a larger trend. Earlier today, 78 Maoists laid down arms across Bastar, including 50 in Kanker who handed over more than 39 weapons, such as AK‑47s and INSAS rifles. Since the BJP government took power in December 2023, about 2,000 Naxals have surrendered statewide—a figure the state attributes to the force’s policy and community support.
Experts see these developments as a harbinger of peace in Bastar, where Maoist violence once accounted for 70 percent of India’s land‑based insurgent incidents. “It’s a result of a sensitive approach that offers security and a dignified future,” Sai said.
The Union Home Ministry hailed the movement as a “giant stride” toward a Naxal‑free Bharat, while Chhattisgarh’s leaders affirm their resolve to create a brighter tomorrow for the state’s tribal heartland.
Source: ianslive
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