Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur

Raipur, Oct 29: In a major breakthrough for Chhattisgarh’s ongoing anti-Maoist campaign, 21 Maoists are poised to surrender before senior police officials in Kanker district on Wednesday. The event signals a fresh success in the state’s strategy to weaken the insurgency through a mix of pressure and rehabilitation.

Emerging from the dense forests of Barrebeda two days ago, the group has now reached the district headquarters to formally renounce violence and return to civilian life, according to police sources. Notably, 18 of the 21 cadres are expected to lay down their arms—a move seen as evidence of the growing effectiveness of state operations in the region.

The police plan to release images of the surrendering group later today, capturing what officials describe as a “moment of transition” for both the individuals involved and the wider conflict. This development follows a series of high-profile defections that have steadily eroded the Maoist stronghold across southern Chhattisgarh.

The trend gained momentum earlier this month after the surrender of Central Committee member Rupesh alias Satish, a top leader carrying a Rs 45 lac bounty. His decision to abandon the movement reportedly triggered widespread disillusionment within Maoist ranks, prompting similar actions by other groups across Jagdalpur, Bijapur, and Gariaband.

Police officials revealed that the Kanker group’s decision to approach authorities was planned days in advance, underscoring growing internal coordination among those seeking to rejoin mainstream society. Senior officers will supervise the formal surrender to ensure the process remains secure, respectful, and transparent.

Authorities report similar stirrings of dissent among cadres in Bastar and Gariaband, where more Maoists have expressed willingness to give up arms. According to officials, the combined effect of targeted operations, community engagement, and promises of rehabilitation has weakened the ideological and organizational fabric of the insurgency.

Recent weeks have witnessed a string of mass surrenders:

• October 26: 21 cadres in Kanker surrendered with 18 weapons, citing disillusionment with Maoist “exploitation and false promises.”
• October 17: 210 Maoists, including Rupesh, surrendered in Jagdalpur, resulting in rewards worth Rs 9.18 crore.
• October 2: 103 cadres defected in Bijapur, carrying a combined bounty of Rs 1.06 crore.

Together, these coordinated moves mark a pivotal shift in the state’s decades-long battle against Maoist extremism—one that officials believe could reshape the security landscape of central India.