IN a significant setback to Left-Wing Extremism, 50 Naxals, including 13 carrying a combined bounty of Rs 68 lakh, surrendered before security forces in Bijapur. The mass surrender is attributed to the joint efforts of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force (STF), Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), alongside the Chhattisgarh Government’s rehabilitation policy and the Niyad Nellanar scheme.

 

The Naxals laid down arms in the presence of Deputy Inspector General of Police, CRPF Bijapur Devendra Singh Negi, Superintendent of Police Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav and senior officials from CRPF, CoBRA and Bastar Fighters, including DSP DRG Vineet Sahu, DSP (Naxal Operations) Sudip Sarkar and DSP Bastar Fighters Chandrahas. Among those surrendering were key figures such as Ravindra Karam (Company No. 1 PLGA member), Roni Parsik (Company No 2 PLGA member), and party members Rakesh Kadti, Kope Lekam, Shanti Tati and Sonu Hemla (Company Nos 2 and 7), each carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh. The Chhattisgarh Government’s rehabilitation policy has provided hope to Naxals seeking an escape from exploitation and violence within the organisation.

 

The establishment of security camps in interior regions and sustained counter-insurgency operations have further motivated them to abandon extremism. Each surrendered Naxal received a motivational amount of Rs 25,000 as part of the rehabilitation initiative. Following the surrender, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the development, stating, “Our new Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy – 2025 has yielded results, with 50 Naxalites surrendering before security forces in Bijapur. This historic event marks the highest number of surrenders at once. Congratulations to our security forces on this remarkable achievement.” “It is encouraging to see individuals trapped in the cycle of Naxalism returning to the mainstream. Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the eradication of Left-Wing Extremism is certain by March 2026.” “Under our double-engine Government, over 200 Naxals have surrendered or been arrested, and more than 350 have been neutralised.

 

The establishment of new security camps, road construction under the Niyad Nellanar scheme, and the expansion of education and healthcare services have strengthened public trust in governance. Our Government remains committed to rehabilitating those who renounce violence and choose the path of peace.” Incidentally, security forces gunned down 18 Naxals, including 11 women, in twin encounters in Chhattisgarh's Sukma and Bijapur districts in the Bastar region on Saturday, recording a major success in the mission to eradicate Naxalism before March 31, 2026. With the latest successes, 134 Naxalites have been gunned down in separate encounters in the state so far this year. Of them, 118 were eliminated in the Bastar division. In 2024, a total of 792 Naxalites had surrendered in Bastar region, comprising seven districts, as per police.