Chhattisgarh Maoist Surrender: ₹46 lakh bounty cadres lay down arms
Image Source: Internet
In a significant breakthrough, 12 Maoist cadres, including 8 women, surrendered to the police in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, carrying a collective bounty of ₹46 lakh. The cadres, part of the Maoist 'south sub zonal buro', turned themselves in under the Bastar police's 'Poona Margem' initiative, which aims to rehabilitate surrendered Naxalites. The surrendered cadres, who were impressed by the state government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, included divisional committee member Somadu Madkam, and party members Hungi Kunjam and Payaki Kunjam, each carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh. They also surrendered a cache of arms, including an AK-47 rifle, two Self Loading Rifles, and explosives. The surrender is a major victory for the police, who have been working to eliminate Naxalism in the region. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam, said the Maoist organisation is rapidly losing its base area due to improved security, road connectivity, and successful anti-Naxal operations. He appealed to the remaining Maoist cadres to surrender, saying that the path of violence only leads to destruction, while the 'Poona Margem' campaign offers a chance for peace, dignity, and a positive future. With this surrender, over 220 Naxalites have laid down their arms this year in the state, following a similar surrender of 52 cadres in Bijapur district on January 15. The Centre has set a target to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31 this year. The surrendered Naxalites will be provided an immediate assistance of ₹50,000 each and will be rehabilitated as per the government's policy.
