Raipur, January 19, 2026: In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s ongoing efforts to counter Maoist insurgency, nine Maoist cadres, including six women, surrendered before the state police in Gariaband district on Monday. The surrender comes amid sustained efforts by the Chhattisgarh police to encourage cadres to lay down arms under the state’s rehabilitation and surrender policy.

The group of nine cadres belonged to the Sinapali and Sonabeda–Dharambandha–Kholibatar (SDK) area committees, which operate in the central forest belt of Chhattisgarh. Collectively, they carried a bounty of ₹45 lakh, reflecting their prominence and involvement in insurgency-related activities. Police officials confirmed that the surrender included senior members of the Maoist hierarchy in the region.

Inspector General of Police Amresh Mishra of the Raipur Range said the group turned themselves in voluntarily, citing disillusionment with the Maoist ideology and the harsh realities of life in forested insurgency zones. “These cadres realized the challenges and dangers of living in forests and the futility of violence,” Mishra said. “Our sustained efforts to engage with them and offer rehabilitation opportunities have borne fruit.”

Senior Maoist Cadres Among Those Surrendering

Among the surrendering cadres were several senior figures with long-standing affiliations to the banned Maoist outfit. They included:

• Anju alias Kavita (40) – Divisional committee member and SDK area committee secretary, carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh. Originally from Sukma district, Anju had been associated with the outfit since 2004 and was wanted in 19 criminal cases in Gariaband.
• Baldev alias Wamanwatti – In-charge of the Sinapali area committee, also carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh. Baldev hails from Bastar district and was wanted in 29 cases.
• Damru alias Mahadev (35) – Divisional committee member with a reward of ₹8 lakh.
• Soni alias Budri (37) – Sinapali area committee secretary, reward ₹8 lakh.
• Ranjit alias Govind – Sinapali area committee member, reward ₹5 lakh.
• Parvati alias Sukki Karam (37) – Area committee member, reward ₹5 lakh.

The remaining three cadres carried bounties of ₹1 lakh each. Together, the group surrendered three AK-47 rifles and two self-loading rifles, marking a significant recovery of weapons and a symbolic weakening of Maoist operational capability in Gariaband.

Implications of the Surrender

The surrender of these cadres represents both a tactical and symbolic victory for the Chhattisgarh police, illustrating the effectiveness of persistent engagement, intelligence operations, and rehabilitation programs. The fact that six of the nine surrendering cadres are women highlights the increasing role of women in Maoist operations and, consequently, the significance of their rehabilitation for lasting peace in the region.

Anju’s surrender, in particular, is notable given her long tenure with the organization and her involvement in multiple criminal cases. As a divisional committee member and SDK area committee secretary, she held substantial influence within the outfit. Her decision to surrender may have a cascading effect on other members still active in the forests.

IGP Mishra emphasized that the police are continuing to reach out to remaining Maoist members in Gariaband and other districts, offering them the opportunity to surrender without fear of retribution. “We are actively persuading other area committees to come forward and avail of the rehabilitation policy. Our message is clear: those who give up arms will be treated fairly and reintegrated into society,” Mishra said.

Trend of Surrenders in Chhattisgarh

This latest surrender is part of a broader trend in Chhattisgarh, where increasing numbers of Maoist cadres have opted to leave armed struggle in recent years. So far in 2026, 180 Maoists have surrendered across the state, reflecting both the impact of police operations and growing disillusionment within the cadre ranks.

Earlier this month, on January 15, 52 Maoists surrendered in Bijapur district, 49 of whom carried a combined bounty of over ₹1.41 crore. In 2025 alone, more than 1,500 Maoists surrendered in various districts of Chhattisgarh, signaling a gradual but steady weakening of the insurgency. Analysts note that consistent rehabilitation initiatives, along with targeted operations and intelligence-led policing, have played a critical role in encouraging such mass surrenders.

Rehabilitation Policy and Integration Programs

Chhattisgarh’s surrender and rehabilitation policy is designed to facilitate the reintegration of former Maoists into mainstream society. The program offers financial assistance, vocational training, educational opportunities, and support in setting up small businesses or employment. Such measures aim to address the economic and social vulnerabilities that often drive individuals to join insurgent movements.

The surrender policy also emphasizes psychological counseling and community engagement to help former cadres transition from armed struggle to peaceful livelihoods. According to officials, these measures are crucial in preventing recidivism and ensuring that surrendered members do not return to insurgency.

Operational Impact

The surrender of nine cadres and the recovery of five firearms, including three AK-47 rifles, represents a tangible reduction in the Maoist threat in the Gariaband region. While the insurgency remains active in parts of Bastar and adjoining districts, such surrenders weaken the organizational structure and morale of the armed outfit.

Police officials noted that the SDK and Sinapali area committees had been involved in multiple acts of violence, extortion, and recruitment. The departure of key figures, including divisional committee members and area secretaries, is expected to disrupt operations and limit the group’s ability to coordinate attacks.

Role of Women in Maoist Cadres

The surrender of six women from the Maoist ranks underscores the evolving role of women in the insurgency. Women have increasingly participated in armed operations, recruitment, and ideological training within the organization. Their reintegration into society is not only a personal journey but also contributes to weakening the social base of the insurgency. Officials have emphasized the importance of gender-sensitive rehabilitation programs, including skill development, counseling, and family reunification initiatives.

Looking Ahead

Chhattisgarh’s police and administration continue to focus on persuading remaining Maoists to surrender, while simultaneously maintaining security operations to prevent violence. IGP Mishra noted that intelligence and community engagement remain central to these efforts. The authorities are also working to ensure that surrendered cadres are effectively reintegrated, minimizing the risk of social alienation or recidivism.

The trend of increasing surrenders offers hope for long-term peace in Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh. By combining strict law enforcement with proactive rehabilitation, the state aims to gradually dismantle the insurgency while offering an alternative path for those willing to abandon violence.

Conclusion

The surrender of nine Maoist cadres, including six women, in Gariaband district represents a notable achievement for the Chhattisgarh police and the state’s counter-insurgency strategy. With weapons recovered, bounties accounted for, and senior cadres voluntarily laying down arms, the development highlights the effectiveness of a dual approach combining law enforcement with rehabilitation.

As more cadres come forward, the hope is that such actions will accelerate the decline of the Maoist insurgency in the region, creating a more secure environment for residents and facilitating socio-economic development in areas long affected by armed conflict. The authorities’ continued engagement with remaining insurgents, coupled with comprehensive rehabilitation programs, will be key to sustaining this momentum in the months and years ahead.