In a major victory for security forces in Chhattisgarh, 103 Naxalites, including 49 carrying a combined bounty of ₹1.06 crore, surrendered in Bijapur district on Thursday, October 2, 2025. This marks the largest-ever surrender of Maoists in a single day in the state. The surrendered cadres, including 22 women, cited disillusionment with the "hollow" Maoist ideology and internal disputes within the banned CPI (Maoist) as reasons for laying down their arms.
The surrender ceremony was attended by senior officials from the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Bijapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Jitendra Kumar Yadav stated that the surrendered Naxalites were also impressed by the development work being carried out in the Bastar region and decided to abandon the path of armed rebellion.
The cadres were particularly influenced by the "Poona Margem (Rehabilitation for Social Reintegration)" initiative, a rehabilitation program launched by the Bastar Range police for Naxalites. They were also motivated by the Chhattisgarh government's 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme, which aims to facilitate development works in remote villages, and the state administration's new surrender and rehabilitation policy.
Of the 49 Naxalites with bounties, Lachhu Punem alias Santosh (36), a divisional committee member, along with Guddu Farsa (30), Bhima Sodhi (45), Hidme Farsa (26), and Sukhmati Oyam (27), all platoon party committee members, were carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh each. Additionally, four Naxalites had a reward of ₹5 lakh each, 15 cadres carried a bounty of ₹2 lakh each, ten had a reward of ₹1 lakh each, 12 cadres had a reward of ₹50,000 each, and three had a bounty of ₹10,000 each.
The surrender is a result of the intensified crackdown by security forces to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 2026. Chhattisgarh Police said that the surrender marks a decisive defeat of the ideology rooted in violence and illusion, as the roots of the Maoist organization are shaken and the public base is continuously eroding.
The surrendered Naxalites will be rehabilitated under the Poona Margem program. Each cadre received immediate financial assistance of ₹50,000 and will be given benefits under the State's rehabilitation policy.
Since January 1, 2025, security forces in the Bijapur district have arrested 421 Maoists and witnessed the surrender of 410. In total, including figures from 2024, there have been 924 arrests, 599 surrenders, and 195 killings in the past two years.
DIG Kamal Lochan Kashyap attributed the increasing surrenders to development and welfare measures reaching remote interiors. New security camps, improved road access, transport facilities, water, electricity, and welfare schemes are now accessible to villagers. Positive interactions between security forces and local communities, along with community policing, have also influenced many Naxalites to surrender.
