Malkangiri/Chhattisgar- In a major setback for the Maoist insurgency in central India, 22 Maoists — including eight women — surrendered before senior security officials along the Chhattisgarh-Malkangiri border. The group laid down arms before Bastar Inspector General Sundarraj P and Narayanpur Superintendent of Police, marking yet another significant development in the decline of left-wing extremism in the region.
All 22 individuals were active members of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit, with several of them involved in numerous acts of violence over the years. The Chhattisgarh government had announced a combined reward of ₹37 lakh for information leading to their arrest, underlining their seniority and active roles within the Maoist network.
Among the surrendered cadres, 14 are men, many of whom operated in the heavily affected areas of Bastar and its adjoining regions. According to police sources, sustained anti-Maoist offensives, combined with ideological fatigue and the lure of government rehabilitation schemes, convinced them to renounce violence and return to mainstream life.
“These individuals surrendered willingly after realizing the futility of the armed struggle. They will be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society in accordance with the state and central government policies,” said IG Sundarraj P.
This development reflects the weakening grip of Maoists in Chhattisgarh, especially after the deaths of several top leaders and intensified combing operations by security forces. With over 1,000 Maoist surrenders recorded so far, authorities remain optimistic that this trend will continue, offering hope for lasting peace in the conflict-affected areas.
Officials believe that such surrenders not only reduce the strength of the outlawed outfit but also send a strong message to others still involved in extremism — that returning to a peaceful, dignified life is possible.
