In a significant blow to Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh, 21 cadres, including 13 women, surrendered with their weapons in Kanker district on Sunday. This voluntary disarmament occurred under the ‘Poona Margem: Rehabilitation through Reintegration’ program, which offers a path back to society for former extremists. The surrendered individuals represent various levels of the organization, with key figures like Division Committee Secretary Mukesh and several committee members among them. They all originated from the Kuemari/Kiskodo Area Committee within the Keshkal Division. The group handed over a total of 18 weapons to the police, including valuable armaments like three AK-47s, two INSAS rifles, four SLRs, six .303 rifles, two single-shot rifles, and a Barrel Grenade Launcher. This event builds on previous large-scale surrenders in the Bastar region, where hundreds of Naxalites have recently laid down arms. The consistent success of these rehabilitation initiatives is a testament to their effectiveness in dismantling armed insurgencies.
