In a stunning blow to Maoist insurgency, 22 dreaded Naxalites carrying a combined bounty of Rs 37.5 lakh surrendered to police and paramilitary forces in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Friday.

Among them was divisional committee member Manku Kunjam, who alone had a reward of Rs 8 lakh, while several others carried bounties ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh each. The surrendered cadres hailed from key Maoist strongholds in the Abhujmad area and cited disillusionment with the Maoist ideology and internal conflicts as reasons for giving up arms.

Police officials and paramilitary forces including BSF and ITBP played a pivotal role in convincing the rebels to quit the violent path. “The rapid development and infrastructure work in the region has also inspired these cadres to seek a peaceful life,” said Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria.

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This massive surrender marks a major milestone in the government’s campaign to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026. So far, 132 rebels have laid down arms in the district this year alone, with a total of 1,476 Maoists surrendering since the current BJP-led government took charge in December 2023.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised the success, attributing it to the government’s robust surrender and rehabilitation policies and welfare schemes like ‘Niyad Nellnar’ which have restored faith among insurgents. Each surrendering Naxalite has been given Rs 50,000 as immediate assistance, with promises of comprehensive rehabilitation.

The surrender sends a powerful message — the reign of Maoist violence is crumbling, and development is winning hearts in Chhattisgarh’s troubled heartland.

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