Sukma Naxal surrender: The ongoing decisive campaign against Naxalism in Chhattisgarh got a major success on Wednesday. 27 Naxalites surrendered before the police and senior Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials in Sukma district. 10 women are also included among those who surrendered. A collective reward of ₹ 50 lakh was announced on these surrendered Naxalites, which shows the increasing success of the anti-Naxal strategy in the state.
Steps towards Home Minister Shah’s goal
This development has come at a time when senior Naxalite Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi and 60 other cadres had laid down arms in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra a day earlier. It is noteworthy that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged to completely eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026, the main center of which is Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
Disillusionment with Naxalite ideology
Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan said that the surrendered cadres cited disillusionment with the Maoist ideology, atrocities being committed by Naxalites on innocent tribals and the increasing influence of security forces as the main reasons.
The surrendered Naxalites also said they were impressed by the ‘Niyad Nelnar’ (Your Good Village) scheme of the Chhattisgarh government. This scheme focuses on ensuring development works in remote villages. Along with this, the new surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state also inspired them to leave the path of violence.
Major Naxalite
Those who surrendered included a number of high profile members:
Oyam Lakhmu (53): A member of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, which was considered the strongest military formation of the Maoists. There was a reward of ₹ 10 lakh on this.
Three prize cadres: Madvi Bheema (18), Sunita alias Kawasi Somdi (24) and Sodi Mase (22) were carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh each. Apart from these, there was a reward of ₹3 lakh on one cadre, ₹2 lakh on two and ₹1 lakh on nine cadres.
All surrendered Naxalites have been provided immediate assistance of ₹50,000 and will be further rehabilitated as per government policy. SP Chavan has appealed to all the people associated with the banned Maoist organization to give up violence and assured them of security and dignified life.