CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Amid the ongoing campaign against the Maoist organisation in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division, six Naxalites gave up the path of violence and surrendered. A total reward of Rs 35 lakh had been announced on the six Maoists. Three women are among them.
According to police, the surrendered cadres had been active in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring Odisha. The development is being seen as significant in the context of Maoist activities in the region and the pressure on its cadres.
Police officials said the six Maoists surrendered before the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Bijapur district on October 12. Four of the cadres were active in Odisha, while two had broken away from the organisation linked to the West Bastar Division.
Those who surrendered have been identified as Rani Sodhi alias Sandhya, Pando Podium alias Sasmita, Sukku Kudiyam alias Santosh, Kosa Madvi alias Satish, Deve Madkam alias Janni and Lalu Tati. According to police, they include four Platoon Party Committee Member (PPCM)-level cadres and two Party Member (PM)-level cadres.
Rewards of Rs 8 lakh each had been announced on Rani Sodhi, Sukku Kudiyam and Pando Podium. Kosa Madvi also carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh. Deve Madkam carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh and Lalu Tati Rs 1 lakh. The total reward announced on the six was Rs 35 lakh.
According to police, the Maoists cited the growing influence of security forces, weakening of the organisational structure and disillusionment with Maoist ideology as reasons behind their surrender. In addition, the rehabilitation of former Maoists and development works in tribal areas also encouraged them to return to the mainstream.
The surrender involved coordination among the District Reserve Guard (DRG), the CRPF’s 170th Battalion and local police. Security agencies are carrying out operations in affected areas while also making efforts to encourage those associated with the organisation to give up violence and return to society.
Under the Chhattisgarh government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, these former Maoist cadres will be provided financial assistance, skill development training, housing, education and employment-related support as per rules. There is also a provision to help them start self-employment. The objective is to give those who have given up violence an opportunity to live with dignity and rejoin the social mainstream.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Sukma district, security forces recovered weapons, ammunition and explosive material from an old Maoist hideout. According to police, a joint search operation was carried out on the basis of intelligence received from Maoists who had surrendered earlier.
The recovered material included rifles, other weapons, cartridges and explosive devices. The surrender in the Bastar region and the recovery of weapons could help security agencies strengthen monitoring of Maoist activities. At the same time, effective implementation of rehabilitation programmes and delivery of development facilities to local people will remain important for establishing lasting peace in the region.
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