Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Raipur, Nov 7 (IANS) In a success to Chhattisgarh’s anti-Naxal operation, all active members of the Udanti Area Committee, a key Maoist unit operating in the Gariaband-Dhamtari-Nuwapara division, have surrendered before the police, in a decisive blow to insurgent activity in the region.
According to police officials, seven Maoists, including two top commanders carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, surrendered before Inspector General Amresh Mishra in Raipur.
Those who laid down their arms also included Area Commander Sunil and Secretary Arena, both of whom were high-ranking officials and had been involved in violent activities for a long time since 2010. They were joined by Ludron, Vidya, Nandini, Malesh – each carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh – and Kanti, who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh.
The group consisted of four women and three men, who reached the police line with six weapons, including an SLR, three INSAS rifles and a single-shot shotgun.
IG Mishra described the surrender as an “important step towards restoring peace” in the area and said the move effectively eliminates the operational capability of the Udanti Area Committee. The turning point came when Commander Sunil publicly appealed for peace and urged fellow cadres to surrender.
His call resonated within the group, leading to a collective decision to withdraw from the armed conflict. Security forces have welcomed the development and described it as a “positive development” in the ongoing efforts to neutralize Naxalite influence.
Police officials confirmed that the surrendered individuals were involved in several incidents over the past decade that have created instability and fear in the region. Their decision to surrender is expected to accelerate developmental initiatives and improve security situations in Gariaband and surrounding districts. With the Udanti Area Committee now virtually defunct, officials believe the region is ready for a new chapter – one marked by peace, progress and the gradual erosion of extremist ideology.
The surrender not only signals a tactical victory but also shows the growing impact of rehabilitation efforts and community outreach in Chhattisgarh’s long fight against Maoism.
–IANS
SKTR/UK