In a significant boost to Chhattisgarh’s anti-Maoist campaign, 22 Maoists surrendered before security forces in Bijapur district on Sunday, following large-scale operations in the region. The surrender, reported by IANS, comes on the heels of intensified efforts by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police against Naxal insurgents in Bijapur and Narayanpur, with six of the surrendered cadres carrying a combined bounty of ₹11 lakh.

The group laid down arms before CRPF Deputy Inspector General Devendra Singh Negi in Bijapur, signaling a shift away from Maoist ideology. "Today, 22 individuals have abandoned the path of violence and joined the mainstream. We welcome them wholeheartedly," Negi said, emphasizing the impact of recent security initiatives. These include the establishment of new camps, improved infrastructure like roads and healthcare facilities, and a changing public perception favoring the administration.

Among the surrendered were members of the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) division, Telangana State Committee, and various platoons, reflecting a broad cross-section of the Maoist ranks. This follows a deadly encounter in Bijapur’s Gangloor area on Friday, where 30 Maoists were killed, underscoring the pressure on the insurgency. So far in 2025, 107 Maoists have surrendered in Bijapur alone, a testament to the state’s rehabilitation policy and relentless operations.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai have praised the forces, aligning with the national goal to eradicate Maoism by March 2026. The surrendered Maoists are set to receive support under Chhattisgarh’s rehabilitation framework, marking a step toward peace in the conflict-ridden region.