Daijiworld Media Network - Sukma
Sukma, Jan 30: Four Naxalites, including two women and carrying cumulative cash rewards of Rs 8 lakh, surrendered along with their weapons in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Friday, police said.
The cadres belonged to the Kistaram area committee of the south Bastar division of the banned CPI (Maoist) and laid down arms under the state government’s ‘Poona Margem’ initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation and social reintegration, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P said.
According to police, the surrendered Naxalites said they were impressed by the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy. Among them, Sodhi Joga, an area committee member, carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh, while Dabar Ganga alias Madkam Ganga, Sodhi Raje and Madvi Budhari had bounties of Rs 1 lakh each.
The surrendered cadres handed over one INSAS rifle, one self-loading rifle (SLR), one .303 rifle, one .315 rifle and ammunition. Police teams from Sukma district and Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district played a key role in facilitating the surrender, officials said.
The police attributed the increasing number of surrenders in the region to the establishment of new security camps in the Kistaram and Golapalli areas, improved road connectivity, and sustained anti-Naxal operations. These measures have significantly curtailed Maoist activities and reduced their freedom of movement, the IG said.
The surrendered Naxalites will be provided rehabilitation, financial assistance and other benefits as per government policy.
Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan appealed to remaining Maoist cadres active in the area to shun violence and join the mainstream, assuring them of security and a dignified life.
With the latest surrender, over 200 Naxalites have laid down arms in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Earlier, 52 Naxalites had surrendered in neighbouring Bijapur district on January 15. More than 1,500 Naxalites joined the mainstream in the state in 2025.
The Centre has reiterated its resolve to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31 this year.