Chhattisgarh: In a significant development, 103 Maoists surrendered in Bijapur district, marking one of the largest single-day surrenders in the state’s history. Among the surrenderees, 22 were women, and 49 were wanted with active bounty rewards totaling over Rs 1.06 crore, according to police officials. Key commanders such as Lachhu Punem (alias Santosh), Guddu Farsa (alias Vijay), and Bhima Sodhi (alias Kamal Singh/Sukhdev) were among those who surrendered, each carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh.
Additional bounties included four Maoists with Rs 5 lakh each, 15 cadres with Rs 2 lakh each, ten cadres with Rs 1 lakh each, 12 cadres with Rs 50,000 each, and three cadres with Rs 10,000 each. This year alone, 410 Maoists have surrendered in Bijapur district, while another 421 have been arrested, the police said, highlighting ongoing efforts to weaken Maoist networks in the region.
The Chhattisgarh government has assured comprehensive support for all surrenderees under its rehabilitation scheme. Each individual has received immediate financial aid of Rs 50,000, along with assistance for livelihood, skill development, education, and social reintegration. Police officials emphasized that these measures aim to help former Maoists leave behind violence and reintegrate into mainstream society, promoting lasting peace and stability in the region.