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Raipur: In a breakthrough in Chhattisgarh’s “anti-Naxal” operation, 21 Maoists operating in north Bastar surrendered before police on Wednesday, handing over 18 weapons.
The surrender ceremony held at Jangalwar College witnessed a symbolic red carpet welcome, underscoring the shift in the state’s strategy towards rehabilitation and reintegration.
Bastar Inspector General of Police Sundarraj personally welcomed the surrendered cadres into the mainstream and presented each with a copy of the Constitution, intended to reaffirm their place in a democratic society.
IGP Sundarraj told IANS, “Today, in the northern sub-divisional area of Kanker district, including North Bastar area and Keskel division, a total of 21 Naxalites surrendered. They included 13 female and eight male Naxalites, along with 18 with weapons, including AK-47, INSAS, SLR and other firearms. We and various sections of the society welcome them; we again all the remaining We appeal to the Maoist cadres to come back to the mainstream and join development activities. We will give them security as per policy, but if they do not lay down their arms, they will have to face the army.
The move is part of a broader policy pivot this month, where police have prioritized surrenders over armed encounters, sending a clear message: Those willing to abandon violence will be embraced, while those who resist will face the full force of the law. The impact of this revised approach has been rapid and significant.
Earlier this month, 208 Maoists surrendered in Jagdalpur, bringing with them 109 weapons.
Today’s surrender in Kanker district saw two regional committees simultaneously laying down arms, indicating a weakening of the insurgents’ hold on the area.
IGP Sundarraj highlighted the dramatic decline in the Maoist leadership structure. He said, “There was a time when there were 45 members in the Politburo and the Central Committee. By the beginning of 2025, this number had reduced to 18. Now only 6 to 7 are left, who are hiding in the forests of South Bastar.”
He urged those still hiding to surrender in time and warned that security forces, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), are fully prepared to neutralize any remaining threat.
The surrender of these 21 Maoists is not just a tactical victory but a symbolic moment in the long-running fight against Left Wing Extremism.
This reflected growing disillusionment within the ranks and a desire to return to civilian life.
Authorities believe that sustained pressure, coupled with humanitarian access, is gradually eroding the movement’s ideological and operational structures.
As the campaign continues, the administration is committed to balancing firmness with compassion – providing a path to peace for those ready to turn away from violence.
The red carpet rolled out is more than formal; It signals a future where guns will pave the way for governance.
–IANS