Raipur/Narayanpur: In a major success under the ‘Puna Margam: Rehabilitation to Resurgence’ initiative, 11 Maoist cadres, including six men and five women, surrendered before Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Gudiya (IPS) on Wednesday. This is considered a significant blow against left-wing extremism in the Bastar region.
Network with Rs 37 Lakh Reward Broken
According to police officials, the surrendered Maoists had a combined bounty of Rs 37 lakh. This included:
- Three Military Company Members (Rs 8 lakh reward each),
- One Area Committee Member (Rs 5 lakh reward),
- and seven Party Members/Protective Personnel.
- All of them were active in the Mad Division and GRB Division areas.
Key Maoists Among Those Who Surrendered
Those who surrendered included:
- Boda Wadde alias Bhima (Rs 8 lakh),
- Namesh Mandavi alias Dilip (Rs 8 lakh),
- Somari Mandavi alias Rita (Rs 8 lakh),
- Siyaram Salam alias Akash (Rs 5 lakh).
- Other surrendered individuals included Meera Mandavi, Sannu Podiam, Somari Alami, Suddi Alami, Saklu Usendi, Budri Uika, and Tulsi Potam, who had rewards of Rs 1 to 2 lakh each.
Immediate Assistance and Rehabilitation Facilities
Each surrendered Maoist was given an incentive check of Rs 50,000. They will also be provided with all the benefits under the Chhattisgarh government’s rehabilitation policy.
Impact of Security Operations and Development Works
The police attributed the surrender to:
- Intensified anti-Naxal operations,
- Establishment of forward security camps in sensitive interior areas,
- Infrastructure development such as new roads,
- and improved access to government schemes in remote villages of Mad and Narayanpur districts. 298 Maoists have surrendered so far in 2025
With this development on Wednesday, a total of 298 Maoist cadres of various ranks have surrendered in Narayanpur district alone in 2025, indicating a growing trend towards peace and development.
IG’s Statement
Bastar Range Inspector General of Police P. Sundarraj said,
“The surrender of these 11 cadres is proof that the violent and anti-people Maoist ideology is now nearing its end. People are trusting the ‘Puna Margam’ initiative and choosing peace, respect, and sustainable development. The Chhattisgarh and Central governments, Bastar Police, local administration, and security forces are fully committed to restoring peace, providing proper rehabilitation, and ensuring inclusive development.”
Continuous decline in Maoist influence
Officials termed these surrenders as evidence of the weakening of Maoist influence due to the sustained pressure from security forces and attractive rehabilitation measures, which strengthens the state government’s efforts to transform conflict-affected areas into centers of development.