Raipur, Chhattisgarh:In a major breakthrough in the ongoing campaign against Maoist activities, 208 Maoist cadres from the Maad region of Bastar division surrendered collectively on Friday. With this, the total number of Maoists who have surrendered in the last three days has reached 405. On Wednesday, 27 cadres surrendered, followed by 170 on Thursday.
The historic surrender ceremony was organized at the Reserve Police Lines in Jagdalpur, where Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma participated virtually. The surrendering Maoists entered the venue carrying copies of the Indian Constitution in their hands and a banner reading “Punh Margem — A New Life through Rehabilitation”, symbolizing their decision to embrace peace and a fresh start.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the moment as one of the most emotional of his life. He said, “The youth who were once trapped in Maoist ideology are now returning to the mainstream of society, reposing faith in democracy, the Constitution, and the policies of the state government. True change comes from trust and policy, not from fear and violence.”
According to official information, the surrendering cadres include 1 Central Committee member, 4 Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee members, 1 Regional Committee member, 22 Divisional Committee members, 61 Area Committee members, and 98 Party members. Together, they carried a combined bounty of ₹9.18 crore on their heads.
The cadres also handed over 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 SLRs, 23 INSAS rifles, 1 INSAS LMG, 36 .303 rifles, 4 carbines, 11 BGL launchers, 41 shotguns, and 1 pistol.
The Chief Minister credited this transformation to the government’s initiatives such as the “Naxalite Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025,” “Niyad Nella Nar Yojana,” and “Poona Margem” programs, calling them the foundation of this positive change. He said, “In Abujhmad and North Bastar, where once the rule of fear prevailed, today the rule of trust exists. Those who once hid in the forests are now contributing to the development of society.”
He further added that the double-engine government (state and central) is committed to making Chhattisgarh completely free from Naxalism. The state government will provide surrendered cadres with self-employment opportunities, skill training, education, housing, and livelihood support so they can live a dignified life and actively participate in nation-building.
Chief Minister Sai remarked, “This is the rebirth of Bastar — where the echoes of guns have been replaced by the sound of development.” He called this historic surrender a symbol of peace, trust, and progress, and said it would serve as an inspiration for the entire nation.
The event was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Vijay Sharma, Member of Parliament Mahesh Kashyap, Jagdalpur MLA Kiran Singh Deo, along with senior officers from the police and central armed forces.
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