Chhattisgarh’s efforts to restore peace in Naxal-affected regions received a major boost as 51 Naxalites surrendered in Bijapur district. This significant group included 20 individuals carrying a collective bounty of Rs 66 lakh, pointing to their former strategic importance. The surrender also featured nine women cadres, reflecting a broader trend of disillusionment with the extremist movement. These individuals have chosen to join the ‘Poona Margem – Punarwas se Punarjeevan’ program, a rehabilitation initiative by the Bastar Range Police focused on social integration. Police officials noted that the rebels were motivated by the promise of a better future through the government’s rehabilitation schemes and the evident development work. This successful surrender marks a victory for the state’s strategy of combating Naxalism through a combination of security measures, peace talks, and developmental progress.
