Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh witnessed a substantial surrender of 51 Naxalite members on Wednesday, marking a crucial success for anti-insurgency operations. Notably, 20 of the surrendered cadres were identified as carrying a cumulative bounty totaling Rs 66 lakh, underscoring the significance of this event. The group also comprised nine women who have chosen to leave the armed struggle.
These surrenders are a direct result of the ‘Poona Margem – Punarwas se Punarjeevan’ initiative, a rehabilitation scheme designed by the Bastar Range Police to foster social integration among former Naxalites. Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav attributed the move to the perceived success of government rehabilitation policies and the visible impact of development work across the district.
Yadav emphasized the importance of this event, stating, “This marks another stride in our persistent efforts to end Naxalism through peaceful means, constructive dialogue, and accelerated development.” The surrendered individuals belonged to various significant Maoist formations, including PLGA battalion 01, area committees, platoons, and local squads. Their exit is anticipated to significantly weaken the Maoist presence and influence in the Bijapur region.