In a move that signals the end of Maoist fighting in Chhattisgarh, 21 hardened Maoists surrendered in Antagarh, Kanker district, on Sunday. The group, which included senior cadres such as Division Vice Committee Members and Area Committee Members, handed over 18 weapons—including three AK‑47 rifles, four self‑loading rifles, and a grenade launcher—to authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had just said in his 127th “Mann Ki Baat” that Maoism is fading in the country. The surrender fits that narrative, showing that the state’s “Poona Margham” rehabilitation program is working.
State Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the “Puna Margem – Rehabilitation to Regeneration” initiative on X. He called it a “transformative force in Bastar” and said the 21 Naxalites now “renounced violence” as part of the 2025 Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy. He added that the shift from guns to growth gives hope in regions once plagued by extremism.
The surrendered cadres were escorted by police from Barrebeda village to the local camp early in the morning. Among them was Mukesh, a key member of the Keshkal Division’s North Sub‑Zonal Bureau. Their weapons, valued at over ₹10 lakh on the black market, include six .303 rifles and a single‑shot rifle.
This defeat follows the surrender of 50 Naxalites at Kamteda camp just a day earlier, marking a surge in defections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the drop in Naxal violence reflects the “double‑engine” model, where central and state leadership drive progress. He credited a 40 percent fall in attacks and a 25 percent reduction in Bastar incidents with the policy’s success.
State police reports show a dramatic decline in Maoist activity this year. Since January, more than 1,200 cadres have surrendered across Chhattisgarh, bringing in over 900 weapons—including 150 AK‑47s. Bijapur logged 410 surrenders by October, while Dantewada recorded 71 in September alone.
The government is now focusing on rehabilitation—medical checks, vocational training, and economic integration—to keep former Maoists off the streets. Chhattisgarh aims to become “Naxal‑free” by 2026, turning Bastar into a model of renewal and peace.
Source: ianslive
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