Sukma, January 30: Nine Maoists, including members of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district. The surrender was formally announced by Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chauhan at a press conference.
The Chhattisgarh government’s anti-Naxal rehabilitation policy, Niyad Nell Nar, along with increased security presence and intensified combing operations in remote forest areas, has led to a rise in Maoist surrenders. Officials stated that the surrendered Maoists included two couples who were active in PLGA battalions.
The state government had earlier announced a total reward of Rs 52 lakh on those who surrendered. Among them, two men and four women carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh each, while another woman had a Rs 2 lakh reward. Two others had Rs 1 lakh each on their heads. Authorities confirmed that the promised rewards have been handed over to them.
Security agencies, including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Naxal Cell Intelligence Branch, Chintagufa Police, Special Intelligence Branch (SIB), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units, played a key role in facilitating the surrender. Officials assured that the surrendered Maoists would receive all necessary support to reintegrate into mainstream society. SP Kiran Chauhan urged other Maoists in hiding to abandon violence and return to civilian life.
Meanwhile, the central government has intensified Operation Kagar, targeting Maoist strongholds in Chhattisgarh. Over the past few months, security forces have engaged in multiple encounters, resulting in the deaths of more than 250 Maoists and the surrender of hundreds of others. Joint security operations are also underway along the borders of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra, particularly in the dense Abujhmad and Dandakaranya forests, known to be Maoist strongholds.
Security officials suspect that due to recent setbacks, Maoists are migrating to safer locations in neighbouring states. Recently, Andhra Pradesh DGP Dwarka Tirumala Rao revealed that for the first time in three years, around 30 Maoists had crossed into Andhra Pradesh from Chhattisgarh. Of them, 13 have already left the party, while search operations are ongoing for the remaining members.
