Fifteen Naxalites, collectively carrying bounties totaling over Rs 48 lakh, surrendered to security forces in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. The group, which included five women and operatives from the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), met with senior police and CRPF officials. According to Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, the former militants were motivated by the state government’s successful development schemes and a new, effective surrender policy. The ‘Niyad Nellanar’ initiative, aimed at boosting infrastructure in underdeveloped villages, and the ‘Poona Margham’ policy for social reintegration played significant roles in their decision. Notably, four hardcore PLGA members, including two couples with Rs 8 lakh individual bounties each, were part of the surrender. Other surrendered cadres had bounties ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. As part of the rehabilitation process, each surrendered Naxalite received an immediate financial aid of Rs 50,000 and will be integrated into society through existing government programs. This recent surrender adds to the significant number of over 2,150 Naxalites who have laid down arms in Chhattisgarh within the past 23 months, reflecting a successful counter-insurgency strategy.
