IN A major breakthrough for the State’s ongoing Anti-Naxal campaign, 41 Naxal cadres, including 12 women, surrendered in Bijapur, marking one of the largest voluntary desertions in recent months amid renewed efforts centred on peace, dialogue and development across the Bastar region. The cadres, collectively carrying a bounty of Rs 1.19 crore, renounced violence and opted to return to the mainstream.

 

The group includes five members of PLGA Battalion No-01, along with cadres from various companies and units-3 ACM members, 11 platoon and area committee members, 2 PLGA members, 4 militia platoon commanders, 1 militia deputy commander, 6 militia platoon members and 9 Jantana Sarkar office-bearers including presidents, vice-presidents, and members of DAKMS and KAMS. All have formally expressed their willingness to reintegrate into civilian life.

 

The surrender is attributed to coordinated operational pressure by DRG, Bastar Fighters, STF, CoBRA, and CRPF units, coupled with the State Government’s rehabilitation framework and the ‘Nyad Nella Nar’ initiative, which has been aimed at encouraging cadres to disengage from the insurgency. The formal surrender took place in the presence of DIG CRPF Bijapur Sector BS Negi; SP Bijapur Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav; Additional SP (Ops) Ravindra Meena; Additional SP (Ops) Aman Kumar Jha; Additional SP Bijapur Yulandon Yark; Second-in-Command Rajesh Chauhan; DC Ashok Kumar; DSP (Ops) Sudip Sarkar; DySP Bastar Fighters Chandrahas; and DSP Roshan Ahuja.

 

Legal processes for the rehabilitation and reintegration of all 41 cadres are currently underway. Each surrendered cadre is eligible to receive immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000 as part of the rehabilitation package, followed by structured support measures. The surrendered group has affirmed confidence in the Indian Constitution and resolved to lead a secure and dignified life within the democratic system. Speaking on the development, Bijapur SP Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav said the State’s rehabilitation policy is increasingly drawing Maoists toward surrender, noting that families of cadres are urging their return to normal life. He appealed to remaining Maoists to abandon violent and misleading ideologies and rejoin society without fear.