Raipur, Oct 15
As many as 27 active Maoists surrendered before security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Wednesday, marking a major step forward in the state's efforts to curb left-wing extremism.
Among those who laid down arms were two hard-core cadres from the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion-01, a dreaded wing of the outlawed CPI (Maoist).
Both individuals had been on the radar of security agencies for years and carried substantial rewards on their heads, reflecting their seniority and involvement in violent activities across the Bastar region.
According to official sources, the total reward value associated with the surrendered group amounts to Rs 50 lakh. The breakdown includes one Maoist with a bounty of Rs 10 lakh, three others with Rs 8 lakh each, one with Rs 9 lakh, two with Rs 2 lakh each, and nine Maoists carrying Rs 1 lakh rewards apiece. Those who surrendered include 10 women and 17 male Maoists.
Police officials said that the impact of the ongoing Chhattisgarh Navsankalp Surrender Policy and the Niyat Nella Nar scheme is clearly visible in the interior areas.