51 Naxals Surrender in Bijapur, Boost Peace Efforts

Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district witnessed a significant development on Wednesday as 51 Naxalites chose to surrender and embrace a life away from violence. This group included 20 high-value targets, collectively carrying bounties amounting to Rs 66 lakh, underscoring the impact of this surrender on the extremist network. The surrender, which saw the inclusion of nine female cadres, is a testament to the success of the ‘Poona Margem – Punarwas se Punarjeevan’ initiative. This program, designed by the Bastar Range Police, focuses on rehabilitating former Naxalites and reintegrating them into society. Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav stated that the Maoists were swayed by the government’s commitment to rehabilitation and the visible developmental changes occurring across the area. Their renunciation of violent activities is viewed as a pivotal achievement in the state’s broader strategy to combat Naxalism through dialogue and progress. The surrendered individuals belonged to various crucial Maoist units, including the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion, area committees, and local squads, weakening the Maoist operational capabilities.