6 days ago
Chhattisgarh: 22 Maoists carrying bounty of Rs 37.5 lakh surrender in Narayanpur district
RAIPUR: About 22 Maoists carrying combined bounties of Rs 37.5 lakh surrendered before Narayanpur police in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division on Friday. Among them are eight women, and senior cadres such as Sukhlal Kunjam, the Area Commander of the Kutul Area Committee, who alone carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh.
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His wife, also an active Maoist, surrendered alongside him. The surrendered members were active in the Kutul, Nelnar, and Indravati area committees within the Marh division of Narayanpur district.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, in a statement said, 'People now choose the path of development over the barrel of a gun.' He added that a total of 1,476 Maoists have surrendered under the current government.
Highlighting the success of the govt's renewed rehabilitation strategy, CM Sai attributed the positive shift to the Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 and welfare-driven initiatives like the 'Niyad Nellanar' programme, which have fostered trust among locals and rebels alike.
'We are fully committed to the reintegration of these surrendered cadres into mainstream society,' the Chief Minister said, reiterating the state's and Centre's joint resolve to eradicate Naxalism completely by March 31, 2026.
Narayanpur SP Robinson Guria said, this year, a total of 132 Maoists of various ranks have laid down arms, highlighting the growing impact of the intensified anti-Naxal 'Marh Bachao' (Save Marh) campaign.
The operation is being conducted jointly by Narayanpur police, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force (BSF), and State Task Force (STF).
Each surrendered Maoist received a Rs 50,000 incentive cheque as part of the govt's new rehabilitation policy, which guarantees further benefits aimed at their reintegration into society.
SP said that among the notable ones who surrendered includesManku Kunjam alias Sukhlal Kunjam, Secretary of Kutul Area Committee, bounty Rs 8 lakh, Hidme Kunjam, Supply Team ACM, bounty Rs 5 lakh, Punna Lal alias Boti alias Santu Oyam, Nelnar Area Jan Militia Commander, bounty Rs 5 lakh and other cadres holding various leadership positions within the Janatana Sarkar and militia groups, with bounties ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh
SP Robinson Guria appealed to the Maoists to 'leave behind deceptive external influences and restore Marh to its rightful inhabitants so they can live fearless, normal lives.'
