208 Naxalites laid down their arms and opted for rehabilitation.
MUMBAI (India CSR): In a landmark development in Chhattisgarh’s long battle against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), 208 Naxalites surrendered on Friday, opting for rehabilitation—a major step toward restoring peace in the Dandakaranya region. Officials say this marks the effective end of Naxal influence in Abujhmad/North Bastar, with only South Bastar still affected.
The surrendered group comprised 110 women and 98 men, spanning various ranks:
- 1 Central Committee Member (CCM)
- 4 Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) members
- 1 Regional Committee Member
- 21 Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs)
- 61 Area Committee Members (ACMs)
- 98 Party Members
- 22 PLGA / RPC / other cadres
They handed over 153 weapons, including:
- 19 AK-47 rifles
- 17 SLRs
- 23 INSAS rifles
- 1 INSAS LMG
- 36 .303 rifles
- 4 carbines
- 11 BGL launchers
- 41 twelve-bore / single-shot guns
- 1 pistol
Key surrendering leaders included Rupesh alias Satish (CCM), Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandavi, Ranita, Raju Salam, Dhannu Vetti alias Santu (all DKSZC members), and Ratan Elam (Regional Committee). Officials described the mass surrender as among the most significant in recent years—evidence of the growing success of the government’s Naxal Eradication & Rehabilitation Policy 2025, which combines development, dialogue, and trust-building to reintegrate militants.
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Gadhchiroli Surrender: Senior Maoist Leader Bhupathi, 60 Cadres Join Hands
In a related development in Maharashtra, Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias Bhupathi, a senior CPI (Maoist) leader and politburo strategist, surrendered on October 14, 2025, along with 60 cadres. They handed over 54 weapons, including AK-47s, INSAS rifles, SLRs, and carbines.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hailed the surrender as the “beginning of the end” of the Naxal movement in the state, asserting that the Red Corridor’s collapse has begun from Gadchiroli. Analysts say Bhupathi’s exit may trigger additional defections in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and neighbouring states.
Wider Implications & Significance
- The dual surrenders in Bastar and Gadchiroli may represent strategic turning points in the LWE fight.
- They weaken the organizational command and morale of Maoist networks across central India.
- These events align with the government’s target of a Naxal-free India by March 31, 2026.
- Rehabilitation, reintegration, and development support will be critical to prevent relapse.
(India CSR)
