28 Maoists Surrender in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur, Citing Government Rehabilitation Efforts

Significant Surrender in Narayanpur

In a major development for anti-Maoist operations in India, a total of 28 Naxalites, including 19 women, surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Tuesday. Among those who laid down arms, 22 cadres carried collective rewards amounting to Rs 89 lakh. This event underscores the growing impact of the Chhattisgarh government's development and rehabilitation initiatives in encouraging insurgents to abandon violence and join the mainstream.

The surrendered individuals cited the state government's 'Niyad Nellanar' (Your Good Village) development initiative, a new surrender-and-rehabilitation policy, and the Bastar police's 'Poona Margham' (rehabilitation for social reintegration) program as key factors in their decision.

Key Cadres and Weapons Surrendered

The group included several high-profile members of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist). Among them were four senior operatives from Military Company No. 6 of the East Bastar division, each carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh. These individuals were identified as Pandi Dhruv alias Dinesh (33), a Divisional Committee member, along with Dule Mandavi alias Munni (26), Chhattis Poyam (18), and Padni Oyam (30).

Additionally, six area committee members, each with a bounty of Rs 5 lakh, also surrendered. They included Lakhmu Usendi (20), Sukmati Nureti (25), Sakila Kashyap (35), Shambatti Shori (35), Chaite alias Rajita (30), and Budhra Rava (28).

Three of the surrendered cadres also handed over their weapons: Dinesh submitted a Self Loading Rifle (SLR), Lakhmu Usendi an INSAS rifle, and Sukmati a .303 rifle.

Government Initiatives and Broader Impact

Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj Pattilingam stated that the 'Niyad Nellanar' scheme focuses on bringing development projects to remote and conflict-affected villages, while 'Poona Margham' is designed to help former Maoists reintegrate into society.

The Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy-2025, approved on March 12, 2025, provides comprehensive support including financial aid, education, employment, and security for surrendered Maoists. Each surrendered cadre received immediate assistance of Rs 50,000 as part of the rehabilitation process.

This surrender is part of a larger trend in the region. Over the last 50 days, more than 512 cadres have joined the mainstream across the Bastar range's seven districts. Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria noted that this brings the district's total surrenders to 287 cadres this year. Police officials indicate that approximately 2,200 Naxalites, including top operatives, have surrendered in Chhattisgarh over the last 23 months.