Daijiworld Media Network - Jagdalpur
Jagdalpur, Oct 17: In a significant blow to Maoist insurgency in Chhattisgarh, a total of 208 Naxalites from the remote Maad region laid down arms on Friday, signaling a major shift in the state's fight against extremism.
The surrender took place at the Reserve Police Lines in Jagdalpur, Bastar, in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who addressed the gathering virtually.
Symbolizing their return to the democratic fold, the former rebels marched in holding copies of the Indian Constitution and banners bearing the message "Puna Margem"—which translates to "the path of return." As part of the surrender, they handed over a large cache of 153 weapons, including:
• 19 AK-47 rifles
• 17 SLR rifles
• 23 INSAS rifles
• 1 INSAS Light Machine Gun
• 36 .303 rifles
• 4 carbines
• 11 barrel grenade launchers
• 41 shotguns and single-shot rifles
• 1 pistol
This group comprises 110 women and 98 men, with many holding key positions in the Maoist hierarchy. Among them were:
• 1 Central Committee Member (CCM)
• 4 Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) members
• 1 Regional Committee member
• 21 Divisional Committee Members (DVCM)
• 61 Area Committee Members (ACM)
• 98 lower-level cadres
• 22 operatives from the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) or the Revolutionary People's Council (RPC)
One of the most notable surrenders was Rupesh, alias Satish or Asanna (real name: Takkalappalli Vasudeva Rao, aged 59), identified as the North-West Sub-Zonal In-charge and a senior commander in the CPI (Maoist). Known for his bomb-making expertise and intelligence operations, Rupesh and his group had initially arrived at Bijapur police headquarters on Thursday evening.
Another prominent figure who surrendered was Ranita, a woman commander from the Maad division—her defection and others like hers deal a major blow to the Maoist leadership structure in the region.
Chief Minister Sai called the event a "watershed moment" in Bastar’s journey toward peace and development.
“Bastar’s strength lies not in violence, but in its people’s self-reliance, dignity, and access to education,” he remarked.
“Our model of governance is now driving real change in the heart of Dandakaranya.”
He also announced that northern Bastar and Abujhmad have been officially declared free from Naxal presence, reflecting a larger transition from a region once steeped in conflict to one now embracing stability and growth.
Since the BJP government took office 22 months ago, the anti-Naxal campaign has gained considerable momentum:
• 477 Naxalites neutralised
• 1,785 arrested
• 2,110 have surrendered
These milestones reflect the state's determined push toward making Chhattisgarh completely Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.