RAIPUR:
In one of the biggest surrenders and a setback to the outlawed CPI (Maoist), 103 Maoists—including several cadres carrying rewards totalling over Rs 1.06 crore, surrendered before senior police and paramilitary officials in insurgency-hit Bijapur district of Bastar division in Chhattisgarh on Thursday. Officials described the mass surrender, held on Gandhi Jayanti, as not just a blow to the Maoist organisation’s strength but also to its ideology of violence.The surrender took place before DIG (Dantewada range) Kamlochan Kashyap, DIG (CRPF Bijapur) B S Negi, and Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav.
Each surrendered cadre was given a cheque of Rs 50,000 as immediate assistance under the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy. In total, 49 Maoists with rewards worth Rs 1.06 crore were among the 103 who laid down arms.
“Collapse of an Ideology”
Senior police officials described the development as the outcome of sustained security operations, the “Niyad Nellanar” outreach campaign, and growing disenchantment within Maoist ranks. “This is not merely a surrender of weapons but the defeat of an ideology sustained for decades through violence and fear,” said DIG Kashyap.SP Yadav said that the Revolutionary People’s Committees (RPCs), considered the Maoists’ parallel governance structure, are collapsing as members in large numbers return to the mainstream. The killing of senior commanders in encounters and the surrender of top-level cadres have deepened the leadership vacuum, forcing lower cadres to give up arms.
SP appealed to Maoists still active in the jungles to avail of the policy. “The rehabilitation scheme offers Maoists and their families an opportunity to live a peaceful, respectful life in the mainstream. They should shun violence and misleading ideology and return to society without fear,” he said.
From January 1, 2025 till date, 410 Maoists have surrendered, 421 have been arrested, and 137 killed in Bijapur district while the figure since January 2024, ranges to 599 surrenders, 924 arrests, and 195 killed.Officials believe these numbers point towards a sharp decline in the Maoists’ organisational strength and morale in Bastar division, once considered their strongest bastion.
Among those who surrendered were high-ranking Maoist cadres :
- Lachchu Punem alias Santosh (36), DVCM, South Sub-Zonal Bureau Communication Commander, carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh.
- Guddu Farsa alias Vijay (30), PPCM of Company number. 10, with a reward of ₹8 lakh.
- Bhima Sodhi alias Kamal Singh alias Sukhdev (45), PPCM/CC Dalam Security Guard Commander, carrying ₹8 lakh.
- Hidme Farsa alias Meena (26), member of Company No. 10, carrying ₹8 lakh.
- Sukhmati Oyam (27), Company No. 1 member and doctor team member, carrying ₹8 lakh.
- Arjun Madvi alias Maniram (25), Area Committee Member under AOB, with a reward of ₹5 lakh.
- Muka Kunjam alias Roshan (25), Cherla Area Committee member/communications commander, carrying ₹5 lakh.
- Pakli Punem (42), ACM and supply team commander, carrying ₹5 lakh.
- Sukli Sodhi alias Navta (40), ACM under Indravati Area Committee, with a bounty of ₹5 lakh.
- Several other mid-level cadres, including militia commanders, CNM and KAMS presidents, and Jantana Sarkar members, also surrendered.
Reasons Cited For Surrender
According to police, several factors pushed the Maoists to surrender:
- Development push in remote areas, including new security camps, road construction, electricity and health facilities.
- Disillusionment with the organisation due to internal conflicts and lack of direction.
- Fear of uncertain future, given rising losses in encounters.
- Attractive rehabilitation schemes, offering financial incentives, jobs, education and security.
