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Raipur, Oct 17 (IANS) In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s long-running fight against insurgency, over 200 Maoists from Maad area are set to formally surrender before Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma in Jagdalpur on Friday.
These include North-West sub-zonal in-charge Rupesh, a highly placed individual whose defection is a significant blow to the Maoist command structure.
Rupesh along with his associates reached Bijapur Police Headquarters on Thursday evening, where he first surrendered.
The final formal handover will take place shortly at the Reserve Police Lines in Jagdalpur in Bastar district, marking a symbolic and strategic victory for the state’s anti-Naxal campaign.
Chief Minister Sai described this event as an important turning point and said that the strength of Bastar lies in the self-reliance, education and respect of the people here.
“Our governance model based on these values is now bringing hope and change to the heart of Dandakaranya,” he said. This mass surrender is the culmination of a multi-pronged strategy that combines security operations with developmental outreach.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday made it clear that those with weapons in their hands do not deserve any leniency and all those supporting them will face strict legal action.
HM Shah has already said that Naxalism will be eliminated from India by March 2026.
Under the leadership of CM Sai, the state has stepped up efforts not only to neutralize armed threats but also to address the socio-economic void that fuels militancy.
Initiatives in education, healthcare, infrastructure and livelihood generation have started reshaping the story of the region.
This success is attributed to the coordinated efforts of the police and paramilitary forces, active role of the local administration and increased awareness among the tribal communities.
Public representatives have also played an important role in building trust between the government and remote populations.
Friday’s ceremony is more than a procedural formality — it’s a declaration of intent. As Bastar takes a new turn, the reintegration of these former rebels into civil society stands as a testament to the power of inclusive governance and sustained peace-building.
–IANS
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