22 Maoists, Including Eight Women, Surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur

Raipur – In a significant development towards restoring peace in Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-affected Abujhmad region, 22 Maoists—among them eight women—surrendered in Narayanpur district on Friday.

The group, which included members from the Kutul and Amdai Area Committees, laid down arms before senior police officials, including Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria, under the state government’s anti-Naxal campaign and surrender-and-rehabilitation initiative.

The surrendered Maoists collectively carried a reward of ?37.5 lakh on their heads, with individual bounties ranging from ?50,000 to ?8 lakh. Among the prominent figures was Area Commander Sukhlal, who surrendered along with his wife, both of whom were active cadres.

“This is a major blow to the Maoist network in the region,” said SP Robinson Guria, highlighting that the decision of the 22 cadres to return to the mainstream reflects growing disillusionment within the Naxal ranks.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai took to social media platform X, stating, “People are choosing the path of development over violence. In Narayanpur, 22 Naxalites with a collective bounty of ?37.5 lakh have surrendered. So far, under our administration, 1,476 Maoists have given up arms.”

He credited the government's 2025 surrender and rehabilitation policy, along with developmental initiatives like ‘Niyad Nellnar’, for building trust within tribal communities and encouraging militants to abandon violence.

“Our government is committed to restoring the lives of those who choose peace, and we aim to completely eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026,” CM Sai added.

Many of the surrendered cadres cited frustration with the Naxal ideology, internal conflicts, and the exploitation of tribal populations as reasons for their decision. They also expressed disappointment with unfulfilled promises made by the group’s leadership.

Under the state’s rehabilitation policy, the surrendering Maoists will receive financial support, housing assistance, and vocational training to help them reintegrate into society. Immediate relief packages have already been distributed to all 22 individuals.

Security forces, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Border Security Force (BSF), have ramped up operations in Narayanpur, which has intensified pressure on Maoist factions.

The Maad Bachao Abhiyan, a campaign focused on reclaiming the Abujhmad region for its indigenous tribal population, has gained traction with each wave of surrenders. With this latest development, the number of Maoists who have surrendered in Narayanpur alone this year has now crossed 100.

Officials believe that sustained efforts in development, rehabilitation, and open dialogue will continue to erode extremist influence and foster long-term peace in the region.

With inputs from IANS