R Krishna Das
Jagdalpur, October 17
In a landmark development in eradicating Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) from Bastar by March 2026, 210 Maoists including 110 women cadres on Friday laid down arms and returned to the mainstream of the society.
The rebels surrendered at a function organised at Reserve Police Line in Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarters of Bastar district. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, his cabinet colleagues and top officials of state police and paramilitary were present on the occasion.
This is the first time in the history of the anti-Maoist campaign that such a large number of senior Maoist cadres have surrendered together. Among those who laid down their arms included one Central Committee member, four DKSZC members, and 21 Divisional Committee members. The prominent among those included Central Committee Member and hardcore rebel Rupesh alias Satish, DKSZC member Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandvi, Ranita, Raju Salam, Dhannu Vetti alias Santoo, RCM Ratan Alam and many wanted and prized cadres.
The cadres have surrendered a total of 153 state-of-the-art weapons including 19 AK-47, 17 SLR, 23 INSAS rifles and one LMG.
The rebels were given a copy of the Indian Constitution. They expressed their faith in the constitution and resolved to live a dignified life in a democratic system. The office-bearers and senior members of the tribal communities welcomed the Maoists into the mainstream of the society.
Welcoming the rebels to rejoin the society, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the attractive policy and the sensitive governance propelled the Maoists to surrender. He said the officials had been instructed to take care of them and provide all the assistance under the rehabilitation policy.
He said the new industrial policy of the state would boost the socio-economic growth in Bastar that would ultimately benefit the youths. The houses under central schemes would be allotted to provide roof.
