During an anti-Naxal operation in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, 51 Naxalites decided to surrender, with a total reward of 1.61 crores on their heads, and a significant amount of weapons was recovered.
In a significant victory for security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bastar division, 51 Naxalites surrendered, collectively carrying a reward of 1.61 crores. The event occurred amidst heightened attention as President Droupadi Murmu was inaugurating the Bastar Pandum 2026 festival in Jagdalpur. The simultaneous presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was on a three-day visit to Raipur, further spotlighted the ongoing conflict in the region.
The surrendered Naxalites included a considerable number of women, highlighting a notable shift in the dynamics within the Naxal groups. Specifically, 30 Naxalites from Bijapur district, including 20 women, and 21 others from Sukma district, including 14 women, chose to abandon their armed struggle under the Bastar police's Poona Margem rehabilitation initiative. This movement indicates a growing desire among former militants to reintegrate into society, influenced by the state's surrender and rehabilitation policies.
The Naxalites expressed their intentions of leading a normal life once they returned to the mainstream, reflecting the impact of government initiatives aimed at reducing Naxal influence in the area. The ongoing operations and rehabilitation efforts present a hopeful outlook towards peace and normality in areas historically plagued by extremism, indicating potential shifts in local power dynamics and increased opportunities for local development.
