A significant blow has been dealt to Left Wing Extremism in Chhattisgarh with the surrender of 51 Maoists in Bijapur. The group included 20 key members who were wanted with a total bounty of Rs 66 lakh, demonstrating their former influence. The surrendered cadres, including nine women, are now set to benefit from the ‘Poona Margem – Punarwas se Punarjeevan’ initiative, a rehabilitation scheme by the Bastar Range Police designed for social integration. District authorities stated that the rebels were swayed by the government’s progressive rehabilitation policies and the visible impact of development in the area. This event signals a growing success for the initiative, encouraging more individuals to leave the armed struggle and embrace a life of peace and normalcy. The surrender is expected to weaken the operational capabilities of Maoist groups in Bijapur and surrounding regions.
