RAIPUR: Day after Maoists of Marh division committed to end armed struggle and violence in a statement, 16 active cadres surrendered before Chhattisgarh police in Narayanpur district of Bastar division on Wednesday. The surrendered Maoists were members of Marh division, Northern Bureau, and Kutul Area Committees, with a combined reward of Rs 48 lakh on their heads, police said.The surrendered cadres include seven women, police said.Naryanpur SP Robinson Guria said described the surrender as a “positive outcome of consistent security operations, development outreach, and effective rehabilitation policies,” reflects the growing influence of the state’s ‘Poona Margham: From Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation’ campaign — a movement that has been turning former extremists back towards mainstream life through education, employment, and social reintegration.Among those surrendered include five Maoists carrying Rs 8 lakh reward and one with Rs 5 lakh. Ten others, including militia members and janatana sarkar operatives, were also part of the surrender.“A Sign of Winds Changing in Bastar’Bastar range inspector general P Sundarraj called it “a clear sign that the winds of change are blowing across Bastar. Disillusioned by the ideology of violence, fear, and exploitation, these youth have chosen peace, education, and development.” he said.1,837 Maoists Have Surrendered in 20 MonthsGoing by the official records, a total of 1,837 Maoists have surrendered across Bastar in the past 20 months, influenced by the joint surrender and rehabilitation policy.Under the ‘Poona Margham’ initiative, surrendering Maoists are provided with financial assistance, vocational training, and support for reintegration into society — a model that has gained traction as one of the most effective peace-building measures in Left Wing Extremism-affected regions.Officials believe this latest surrender will “encourage more Maoists to abandon arms and rejoin the mainstream,” further accelerating the process of peace and development in Bastar’s most remote areas.The Marh divisional committee statement dated Oct 4 was released on Tuesday with an assurance that no anti-govt or violent activity would be carried out during this transition period from armed struggle to non-violence and appealed to the Centre and Chhattisgarh govt to suspend police and paramilitary operations temporarily to facilitate a peaceful completion of the process.The development came three days after Union home minister Amit Shah declared that the Maoists will have to lay down arms by the deadline of Mar, 2026, set to eliminate armed Maoists, else they will perish in intensified operations. The statement, signed by Saneeta, secretary of Marh divisional committee stated, “Our Marh divisional committee supports the decision taken under comrade Sonu’s leadership to abandon the path of armed struggle. Several units within the division are also in agreement with this step. Abandoning armed struggle is in accordance with the needs of the present times.”According to police officials, high-ranking cadres among surrendered include: Podiya Markam alias Ratan alias Faganu, Deputy Commander, Military Platoon No. 01 (₹8 lakh reward)Manoj Dugga alias Sankar alias Bharat, Member, Military Company No. 01 (₹8 lakh reward)Sumitra alias Sunny Kursam, Member, Military Company No. 01 (₹8 lakh reward)Vanila Farsa, Member, Military Company No. 06 (₹8 lakh reward)Shri Gawde alias Diwakar, DVCM, North Bureau Technical Team (₹8 lakh reward)Budhu alias Kamlesh Usendi, ACM, Marh Division Staff Team (₹5 lakh reward)
