Gariaband, Chhattisgarh: In a major victory for security forces, seven Maoists surrendered to police in the Gariaband-Dhamtari-Nuapada division on Friday, carrying their weapons with them. The surrendered insurgents had a total reward of ₹37 lakh on their heads.
Top Leaders Among the Surrendered
The surrendered Maoists included two top leaders, Udanti Area Commander Sunil and Secretary Arina, each with a bounty of ₹8 lakh. Other members who surrendered were Ludro, Vidya, Nandini, and Malesh, carrying rewards of ₹5 lakh each, and Kanti, with a ₹1 lakh reward.
Weapons and Explosives Handed Over
The Maoists arrived at the police station on foot from the jungle, bringing with them one SLR rifle, three INSAS rifles, a single-shot gun, live ammunition, and explosive material, which they handed over to the Gariaband police.
Motivation Behind Surrender
According to Vidya, one of the surrendering members, the decision came after the appeal of former top commander Rupesh Dada. She said, “We no longer wish to live in the jungle. We want to leave weapons behind and return home.“
Rudro, another member, added that after recent encounters that killed several top leaders, the Maoist organization had split. He said, “We want to leave the path of Maoism and return to mainstream society.“
Impact of Top Leader Encounters
Chhattisgarh has seen continuous anti-Maoist operations, resulting in the deaths of several key insurgent leaders. The fear of further encounters and targeted operations has prompted many active Maoists to surrender voluntarily, marking a significant step in the state’s ongoing drive against insurgency.
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