In a significant development, 103 Naxalites surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district, a region historically plagued by Naxalite activity, last Thursday. This mass surrender represents a landmark event, marking the largest single instance of Naxalites returning to the mainstream in the state’s history. A total of 49 of the surrendered individuals were subject to police rewards, totaling 1 crore 6 lakh 30 thousand rupees. Furthermore, each Naxalite received an immediate financial incentive of 50,000 rupees from the government.
The surrender ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials including DIG (Dantewada Range) Kamlochan Kashyap, IG (CRPF Sector) BS Negi, and Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav. As per the Chhattisgarh government’s new surrender and rehabilitation policy, all surrendering Naxalites received a check for 50,000 rupees.
SP Yadav emphasized that the government’s initiatives are proving effective in encouraging Maoists to reintegrate into mainstream society. He noted the desire of the surrendered individuals’ families for them to lead normal lives and appealed to other Naxalites to return to their families and communities. Authorities reported that, in Bijapur district alone, 410 Naxalites have surrendered this year, in addition to 421 arrests and 137 Maoist fatalities.
The surrenders included several key Naxalite commanders. Among them were Lachhu Punem alias Santosh, the communication commander of the Southern Sub-Zonal Bureau, Guddu Farsa alias Vijay of Company No. 10, and Bhima Sodhi alias Kamal Singh/Sukhdev, who served as PPCM and security guard commander. Each of these individuals had an 8-lakh-rupee reward attached to their capture. Also among the surrendered were area committee leaders, RPCs, militia commanders, and members of the Janatana Sarkar.
Police records indicate that most of the Naxalites are from the Muriya tribe and are aged between 18 and 40 years. They are primarily from rural areas within the Bhairamgarh, Gangalur, and Nelsonar police station jurisdictions.
The Chhattisgarh government introduced a new Naxalite surrender and rehabilitation policy in 2025, with a goal to eradicate Naxalism from the state by March 2026.
The government’s rehabilitation plan for surrendered Naxalites includes provisions for financial aid up to 5 lakh rupees for land and housing. Each surrendering individual receives an immediate incentive of 50,000 rupees. Special programs are in place to support the education and employment of their children. Those with rewards of 5 lakh rupees or more are eligible for residential land in urban areas or agricultural land in rural areas, or property assistance valued at 2 lakh rupees. Unmarried, widowed, or widower Naxalites are eligible for 1 lakh rupees in assistance for marriage, to be provided within three years. Law enforcement officers and other individuals who aid in surrenders are entitled to 10 percent of the declared reward amount, up to a maximum of 5 lakh rupees. In the case of collective surrenders from a single panchayat area, 4 crore rupees will be allocated for development projects in that area. Incentive amounts will be doubled for mass surrenders. Additional rewards are provided for the recovery of weapons and explosives.
The Bijapur police attribute the growing frustration within the Maoist organization to leadership losses, internal disagreements, the impact of infrastructure development, and the escalating actions of the security forces. The central government aims to eliminate Naxalism from the country by 2026, which has led to intensified counter-insurgency operations. The establishment of new security camps, road construction initiatives, and community policing strategies have played a role in encouraging Naxalites to surrender. The combined efforts of the DRG, District Force, STF, and Cobra Battalion have also been significant.
The surrendered Naxalites were motivated by the Chhattisgarh government’s 2025 Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy and the Niyat Nellanar scheme. The government has conveyed its commitment to offering respect and a new life to those who abandon violence and return to society. The surrendered individuals received a 50,000-rupee incentive, with additional rewards for surrendering weapons, such as 15,000 rupees for an LMG and 10,000 rupees for an IED.
According to officials, surrendered Naxalites are now contributing to the strength of the security forces. They have been integrated into the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and their local knowledge is proving valuable.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai viewed the surrender as a victory of peace and development on Vijayadashami. He stated that the 2025 Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy and the Niyat Nellanar scheme have instilled faith in the public, and the surrender of 103 Naxalites in Bijapur is evidence of this. The objective is to achieve a completely Naxal-free Chhattisgarh by March 31, 2026.
