103 maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh, each given Rs 50,000 under rehabilitation policy
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Chhattisgarh witnessed one of its largest-ever single-day surrenders of Maoists, with 103 cadres turning themselves in before authorities in Bijapur district on Thursday.
Among them were 22 women and 49 cadres carrying a combined bounty of over Rs 1 crore.
The surrender came after many cadres expressed disillusionment with the "hollow" Maoist ideology and internal differences within the banned CPI (Maoist), said Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav.
The Maoists cited the development works in Bastar as a key reason for abandoning armed rebellion. They were particularly impressed by initiatives such as Poona Margem (Rehabilitation for Social Reintegration), the Niyad Nellanar scheme aimed at improving remote villages, and the state’s new surrender and rehabilitation policy, Yadav noted.
Among the high-profile surrenders were Lachhu Punem alias Santosh (36), a divisional committee member, Guddu Farsa (30), Bhima Sodhi (45), Hidme Farsa (26), and Sukhmati Oyam (27), all platoon party committee members, each carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh. Other cadres carried bounties ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10,000.
Yadav stated that the number of Revolutionary Party Committee members among the surrendered Maoists was significant. Many chose to quit after several leaders were killed by security forces or surrendered in the past.
So far this year, 410 Maoists have surrendered and 421 have been arrested in Bijapur district. “Terms of the government's rehabilitation policy have been encouraging Maoists to shun violence. The families of those who surrender also want them to live a normal life and integrate with society,” the SP said, urging cadres to return to mainstream life.
Each surrendered Maoist received immediate assistance of Rs 50,000 and will be rehabilitated according to the government’s policy.