Raipur: In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s fight against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), 52 Maoist cadres surrendered before security forces in Bijapur district on Thursday, police officials said. Among them, 49 carried a combined bounty of over ₹1.41 crore, underscoring the prominence of those laying down arms.

The surrendered Maoists were active in the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), the Andhra–Odisha Border division, and the Bhamragarh area committee of Maharashtra, police said. They voluntarily gave up arms before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers under the state’s ‘Poona Margem’ initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation and social reintegration of former extremists, according to Bijapur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav.

Incentives and Rehabilitation

Officials said the surrenders were influenced by the state government’s proactive surrender and rehabilitation policy. The policy offers immediate financial assistance and long-term social reintegration programs to those abandoning insurgency.

Among the surrendered cadres are divisional committee member Lakkhu Karam, alias Anil (32), and Platoon Party Committee members Laxmi Madvi (28) and Chinni Sodhi, alias Shanti (28), each carrying a bounty of ₹8 lakh. Thirteen other cadres carried rewards of ₹5 lakh each, 19 had bounties of ₹2 lakh each, and 14 carried ₹1 lakh each.

The state police said that each surrendered cadre would be provided an immediate financial assistance of ₹50,000 and rehabilitated as per government policy, which includes vocational training, education support, and other social reintegration measures aimed at providing alternatives to returning to violence.

A Continuing Trend of Surrenders

This surrender in Bijapur follows a spate of recent developments in the region. On Wednesday, 29 Maoists laid down arms in neighbouring Sukma district. Earlier in January, 63 Maoists surrendered in Dantewada on January 8, while 26 cadres gave up violence in Sukma on January 7. Police officials highlighted that in 2025 alone, over 1,500 Maoists surrendered across Chhattisgarh, reflecting the growing success of rehabilitation efforts combined with sustained security operations.

The surrender is also seen as a boost to the Centre’s ambitious target to eliminate Left Wing Extremism from India by March 31, 2026. Security experts said these coordinated efforts of surrender incentives, strict policing, and community rehabilitation have created an environment conducive for cadres to leave insurgency.

Impact on Maoist Movement

The surrenders deal a significant blow to the operational capabilities of Maoist groups in the Dandakaranya region, which has historically been a hotbed of Left Wing Extremist activity. Bijapur, along with Dantewada and Sukma, has been the focus of intensified anti-Maoist operations in recent years, and the government’s push for rehabilitation provides an alternative to violent insurgency for disillusioned cadres.

SP Yadav noted that such mass surrenders also have a psychological impact, signaling to other cadres that laying down arms is a safe and viable option. “Our approach combines law enforcement with rehabilitation. The aim is to create trust and encourage those still in the movement to return to society,” he said.

Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programs

Under the Poona Margem initiative, surrendered Maoists are given a structured rehabilitation plan that includes initial financial assistance, vocational training, educational support for children, and reintegration into local communities. Officials said the aim is not only to prevent a return to militancy but also to provide long-term economic and social stability to former insurgents.

“The program ensures that those leaving extremist groups do not face social ostracisation or economic hardship,” Yadav said. “It is a crucial part of our counter-insurgency strategy.”

Security analysts note that while surrender initiatives are effective in reducing violence, they must be accompanied by ongoing monitoring and support to prevent recidivism. Local authorities are also working closely with community leaders and social organisations to facilitate acceptance of surrendered cadres back into villages.

Government Targets and Future Outlook

The Centre has set an ambitious target to eradicate LWE from India by March 31 this year. Chhattisgarh, being one of the states most affected by Maoist activities, has been a key focus of both security operations and rehabilitation measures. The recent wave of surrenders is seen as a positive step towards meeting this target, though officials caution that the threat from sleeper cadres and small operational units remains.

The sustained success of surrender initiatives is being closely monitored at both state and central levels. Officials believe that by combining security measures with economic incentives and social rehabilitation, they can systematically weaken the Maoist movement and provide alternatives to insurgency for those drawn into the fold due to socio-economic reasons.

Community Response

Local communities in Bijapur and surrounding districts have welcomed the surrenders, seeing them as a chance for peace and stability in regions long affected by violence. Former insurgents returning to villages also provide firsthand accounts that help authorities improve outreach and rehabilitation programs for others who may consider surrendering.

Analysts say that the continued engagement of surrendered cadres in social initiatives and community development can further consolidate the state’s anti-Maoist strategy, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining enforcement with rehabilitation.

As Chhattisgarh continues its focus on reducing LWE, officials stressed the importance of maintaining momentum, both in encouraging surrenders and in sustaining pressure on active insurgents. With over 1,500 Maoists having surrendered in 2025 and new waves of cadres coming forward in 2026, the state is cautiously optimistic about achieving significant reductions in insurgent activities.

The latest surrenders from Bijapur are a clear signal that government policies focusing on a combination of strict law enforcement, incentives, and community reintegration are starting to yield tangible results in the battle against Left Wing Extremism.