Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur
Raipur, Apr 28: In a significant development, twenty-four Maoists, including fourteen carrying a combined bounty of Rs 28.5 lakh on their heads, surrendered in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Monday, according to official sources.
A senior official stated that this surrender coincides with a large-scale anti-Maoist operation involving approximately 24,000 security personnel. This extensive operation has been ongoing in the Karregutta hills of Bijapur, near the Telangana border, since April 21st. Among those who surrendered were eleven women, officials added.
The surrendering Maoists reportedly cited their disillusionment with the Maoist ideology, the atrocities committed by the insurgents against local tribal communities, and internal conflicts within the banned organization as reasons for laying down their arms. They were also reportedly influenced by the state government's 'Niyad Nellanar' initiative, a development program focused on improving remote villages situated near security camps, police officials indicated.
The surrendered individuals were associated with various Maoist formations, including the east Bastar division, Partapur area committee, and west Bastar division.
Notable among them were Sudru Hemla, 33, a member of the Bhairamgarh area committee, and Kamli Modiam, also known as Urmila, 36, from the Partapur area committee. Both carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh each. Other significant surrenders included Jaymoti Punem, 24, with a bounty of Rs 3 lakh, and Mangu Punem, stated as 21 in the report but other sources indicate a possible age of 25, who had a reward of Rs 50,000. Additionally, Buchchi Madvi alias Roshni, Sukhmati Ursa, Shamnath Kunjam, Chaitu Kursam, and Somli Hemla, each carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh, also surrendered.
Other Maoists who surrendered on Monday include Bujji Padam, Sukko Punem, Hidme Veko, Soni Korsa, and Lachha Tati, each with a bounty of Rs 1 lakh.
This latest surrender brings the total number of Maoists who have laid down their arms in Bijapur to 203 since January 2025. Furthermore, officials reported that 90 Maoists have been killed and 213 arrested in the district during the same period.
Each surrendered individual received Rs 50,000 in immediate assistance and will be provided rehabilitation under the government's established policy. In 2024, the Bastar region, encompassing seven districts including Bijapur, witnessed the surrender of 792 Maoists, according to police records.