Just hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Chhattisgarh, 50 Maoists, including 14 with a combined bounty of Rs 68 lakh, surrendered in Bijapur district on Sunday, delivering a significant blow to the insurgency. 

The rebels laid down their arms before senior state police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials, citing disillusionment with Maoist ideology, exploitation of tribals by senior cadres, and internal rifts as reasons for their decision.

Bijapur Senior Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav confirmed the mass surrender, noting that the group was influenced by security forces’ recent camp expansions and the ‘Niya Nellanar’ scheme, which brings basic amenities to remote villages. “They’ve seen the hollow promises of Maoism and the progress we’re offering,” Yadav said.

Among the surrendered were six individuals carrying Rs 8 lakh bounties each and three with Rs 5 lakh rewards, underscoring the high-value nature of the defectors.

The timing aligns with Modi’s visit to Bilaspur, where he is set to unveil projects worth over Rs 33,700 crore, including power, rail, and highway initiatives.

The surrender follows Saturday’s operation in Sukma and Bijapur, where 16 Maoists were killed, pushing this year’s toll to 134 across Chhattisgarh, with 118 in the Bastar division alone. In 2024, 792 Maoists have surrendered in Bastar, reflecting a growing trend of rebels abandoning the fight.

Each surrenderer received Rs 25,000 as part of the state’s rehabilitation policy, with further support planned. This development bolsters the Centre and state’s goal to eradicate Naxalism by March 31, 2026, as security forces tighten their grip and development efforts gain traction in the region.