Published on: October 18, 2025 | 4:22 PM IST

Gariaband, Chhattisgarh: Amid a wave of mass surrenders in Chhattisgarh’s Naxal-affected areas, a senior Maoist leader has issued a public appeal urging cadres to lay down arms and reintegrate into mainstream society. The call comes in response to sustained pressure from security forces, which has significantly weakened the insurgents’ operational capabilities.

The one-page communication, written in Hindi, was issued in the name of Sunil, a Maoist leader of the Udanti Area Committee, which operates in parts of Gariaband and adjoining regions along the Chhattisgarh–Odisha border. The letter cited the recent surrender of Sonu Dada, a senior cadre, as an example of the futility of armed struggle under current conditions. Authorities confirmed that Sonu Dada, along with 60 cadres, laid down arms in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, on October 16. Another senior Maoist leader, Rupesh, surrendered with 209 cadres in Bastar on October 17.

According to the letter, the armed campaign had become unsustainable due to assertive action by security forces, organizational errors, and missed opportunities, which collectively weakened the Naxal network’s ability to continue guerrilla warfare. Sonu Dada reportedly released a booklet highlighting these points and called for a shift from armed struggle to participation in mass movements aimed at addressing public grievances.

The Udanti Area Committee expressed support for the decisions of Sonu Dada and Rupesh, urging units in Gobra, Sinapali, Sonabeda-Dharambandha-Kholibatar, and Sitanadi areas to follow suit. “We have already lost many important comrades. It is time to make the right decision before it becomes too late,” the letter said.

Police Response and Appeals

Gariaband Superintendent of Police Nikhil Rakhecha welcomed the letter and called on active Maoists to surrender. “We welcome this initiative. I appeal to active Naxalites in Udanti, Gobra, Sinapali, SDK, and Sitanadi areas to surrender at the earliest. They can directly contact me without hesitation. We will ensure their safe return to their families,” Rakhecha said.

The surrender of high-profile Maoists, including Bhupathi, a strategist with a bounty of ₹6 crore, has prompted several armed guerrillas to follow suit. On Wednesday, 28 cadres surrendered in Sukma and Kondagaon districts, followed by 210 Naxals, including Central Committee member Rupesh and 111 women, in Bastar district. The cumulative bounty on these surrendered cadres was reported at ₹9.18 crore.

Context and Progress

The Dandakaranya region, spanning parts of south Chhattisgarh and neighboring areas of Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, has long been a Maoist stronghold. Over the past 22 months, the state government has reported that 477 Naxalites have been neutralized, 2,110 surrendered, and 1,785 arrested, according to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

The CM reaffirmed the government’s target of making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by March 31, 2026, stating that the goal is now within reach due to the intensified operations by security forces and the ongoing wave of surrenders.

Security operations across the region continue, with officials emphasizing the safe reintegration of surrendered cadres and continued efforts to dismantle the remaining insurgent networks. The recent appeals by Maoist leaders, combined with government initiatives, indicate a significant shift in the dynamics of the insurgency in Chhattisgarh, potentially marking a decisive turning point in the decades-long conflict.