Chhattisgarh – Raipur, Oct 2: In a significant development in the ongoing fight against left-wing extremism, 103 Maoists laid down arms in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2. The mass surrender, held under the state’s flagship rehabilitation initiative Puna Margem (New Path), marks a major milestone in efforts to dismantle Maoist influence in the region.
Among those who surrendered were 49 Maoists carrying a combined reward of ₹1.06 crore, including senior operatives such as Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs), Platoon Party Committee Members (PPCMs), Area Committee Members (ACMs), militia commanders, and members of the Maoist-formed Jantana Sarkar (people’s government).
The event took place in the presence of top officials including Deputy Inspector General of Police Kamalochan Kashyap, DIG CRPF Sector Bijapur B.S. Negi, Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, and senior officers from the CRPF and Cobra battalions. As part of the state’s surrender and rehabilitation package, each surrendered Maoist received a cheque of ₹50,000.
Officials stated that the move was driven by a combination of disillusionment with Maoist ideology, internal disputes within the insurgent ranks, and a desire among cadres for a peaceful and family-oriented life. The consistent loss of senior Maoist leaders in encounters and the erosion of local support have further accelerated the breakdown of the group’s influence.
Significantly, the high number of RPC (Revolutionary People’s Council) members among the surrendered indicates a weakening of the Maoists’ operational core in the region.
The Chhattisgarh government’s multi-pronged strategy, which includes the establishment of new security camps, expansion of roads and infrastructure, access to electricity and water, and a focus on community policing, has been instrumental in encouraging Maoists to abandon violence.
Initiatives like the Niyed Nella Nar Scheme and awareness campaigns about the benefits of rehabilitation have also played a critical role, according to police officials.
Since January 2025, Bijapur district alone has seen 421 Maoists arrested, 410 surrender, and 137 killed in encounters. Over the last two years, these figures rise to 924 arrests, 599 surrenders, and 195 deaths, highlighting the growing success of anti-Naxal operations and declining Maoist dominance.
Authorities view the mass surrender not just as a tactical win, but as a symbolic victory over a violent ideology. It reflects a growing aspiration among former rebels to seek peace, development, and reintegration into mainstream society.
“This is not just the surrender of weapons—it is the surrender of fear, misinformation, and violence. It’s a strong message that change is possible,” said a senior official involved in the rehabilitation program.
The state government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting those who choose the path of peace, with ongoing efforts to provide education, employment, and a stable future for ex-Maoists and their families.
