Over 200 Maoist cadres, including a Central Committee (CC) member, surrendered before authorities in Bastar district headquarters Jagdalpur on Friday, in what officials described as the biggest mass surrender in the history of anti-Naxal operations in the state.
With this, a total of 238 Maoists have left violence and joined the mainstream in the last three days, including the 28 who surrendered on Wednesday, officials said. They included 210 Maoists who surrendered on Friday, carrying a total bounty of Rs. Rs 9.18 crore upon his arrest.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai called it “a historic day not only for Bastar but for Chhattisgarh and the entire country”. According to officials, Friday’s surrender marks a turning point in the government’s ongoing campaign to root out left-wing extremism.
All the cadres surrendered before senior police and paramilitary officials at the police lines in Jagdalpur. She was formally welcomed into the mainstream by tribal community leaders and priests, who welcomed her with red roses, a symbol of peace, love and a new beginning.
A banner displayed behind the stage read: “Poona Marjem – From Rehabilitation to Resurgence: Maoist cadres are re-joining the mainstream.” Poona Margame (Rehabilitation for Social Integration) is an initiative of the Bastar Range Police aimed at encouraging Maoists to return to society.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has reiterated the government’s resolve to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026. On Thursday, Shah declared Abujmad and North Bastar free from Naxalite terror, saying “those who surrender are welcome, but those who continue violence will have to face strict action.”
Introspection, debate among Maoists
Speaking to Hindustan Times before laying down arms, Maoist spokesperson Rupesh said the decision to suspend the armed struggle was the result of intense internal debate and introspection within the organisation. According to him, there was a growing realization that their long-term strategy of resisting state action had failed to adapt to changing realities.
“Our strategy to counter the state’s onslaught was not adequate… we were badly trapped,” Rupesh said. “We should have changed our approach according to the changes taking place in the country and the world, but we failed to do so.”
He said that many Central Committee members, including the late Raju Dada, had candidly “self-critically admitted where they went wrong and why their efforts fell short”. But he clarified that the decision to stop the armed campaign was not taken in any collective meeting of the leadership.
“This decision was not taken in any committee meeting,” Rupesh said. “It happened through the direct guidance of the general secretary and the initiative of leaders like Sonu Dada.”
He described it as a “necessary but rule-violating step” taken under pressure from the government’s continued crackdown.
Ideological divisions within the organization have also deepened, Rupesh said, especially over the identification of major contradictions in Indian society. “This ideological divide affected our entire political strategy,” he said.
He criticized the “ambiguity and coercion” in the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the Chhattisgarh government.
“Nobody is surrendering because they expect a car, a horse or a big sum of money,” he said. “People are not thinking about any material benefits at all.”
According to him, one of the biggest flaws in Chhattisgarh’s rehabilitation policy is the expectation that people who lay down arms must assist in anti-Naxal operations if they want their criminal cases closed.
Rupesh said, “You have to help in anti-Naxal operations, only then will the authorities think of closing your cases.” “They capture people who come out and disarm them and re-arm them, and send them back to fight against their own former comrades, it’s a very serious problem.”
He compared this with states like Telangana, where, he said, no such stringent conditions exist. “There, rehabilitation does not mean being forced to take action against one’s own people,” he said. Rupesh argued that the policy, in its current form, prevents genuine reintegration into civilian life and instead perpetuates the cycle of mistrust.
Rupesh said the group’s decision to return to democratic engagement is linked to some assurances sought from the Chhattisgarh government.
“Our first condition is clear, we will not be recruited in the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and we will not be a part of anti-Naxal operations,” he said. He said that Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma has accepted this demand.
The group has also called for lifting the ban on organizations like Moolvasi Bachao Manch.
Rupesh said, “We want the ban on organizations like Moolvasi Bachao Manch to be lifted.” “The government has agreed that such restrictions will not be imposed again.”
Another key demand, he said, is the release of imprisoned cadres who share his new vision and want to work through democratic means.
“The comrades who agree with our current thinking and are still in jail should be released,” he said. “The government has assured us that it will help secure his bail.”
Rupesh reiterated that his step should not be seen as surrender but as a change. “Now we want to work shoulder to shoulder with the people in a democratic manner,” he said. “This is not the end, this is an effort to save the movement and the people associated with it.”
CM welcomed the surrender
Addressing a press conference after the surrender ceremony, Chief Minister Sai expressed faith in the Constitution, Gandhian non-violence and the state’s rehabilitation policy, saying that 210 brothers and sisters who were misguided and separated from the society have now rejoined the mainstream. He said that the surrendered Maoists came from all ranks of the Maoist organization and congratulated them on their decision.
SAI said the government’s Naxalite Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025, along with the “Niyad Nela Nar Yojana” and “Poona Margame – Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation”, represent a “call for confidence and change”.
“Because of these initiatives, people in former Maoist strongholds are now laying down their arms and embracing the government’s confidence and resolve for development,” he said. He said that the double engine government at the Center led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has the resolve to completely free Chhattisgarh from Naxalism.
“Under his guidance, Chhattisgarh is moving towards a new era of peace, trust and development,” SAI said.
The Chief Minister said that the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state includes provisions for financial assistance, land benefits, industrial policy incentives and livelihood opportunities for the surrendered cadres. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who also holds the home portfolio, said those who laid down their arms included members of the entire Maad division and North Bastar division. He said, “With this, North-West Bastar is now completely free from the presence of Maoists.”
He said the surrendered cadres requested for lifting of the ban on Moolvasi Bachao Manch, which was earlier a banned organization under the Chhattisgarh Special Public Safety Act, 2005. The Chief Minister decided that the ban would remain in place till October 30, and would not be extended further. Sharma clarified that there has never been and will never be any compulsion for rehabilitated Maoists to join the District Reserve Guard (DRG). “Only 10% of the total DRG strength is ex-cadres,” he said.
The government also addressed concerns about Maoist prisoners. Sharma said those in jail who want to change their status from “arrested” to “rehabilitated” will be considered under the same policy framework. He said that under the policy the rehabilitated cadres will get all facilities including medical aid.
from the entire Maoist ranks
The senior leaders who surrendered include Central Committee member Rupesh alias Satish; Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandavi, Ranita, Raju Salam and Dhannu Vetti alias Santu, all four members of Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC); and Ratan Elam, a regional committee member.
Speaking to a local journalist before surrendering, Rupesh said that he was “giving up his arms but not giving up his commitment to the interests of the people.”
He said, “We are not surrendering; we have laid down our arms and will continue to work for the people through peaceful, non-violent movements.”
153 weapons handed over to officials
Officials said the surrendered cadres surrendered 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 SLRs, 23 INSAS rifles, one INSAS LMG, 36 .303 rifles, four carbines, 11 BGLs, 41 single-shot/12-bore guns and one pistol. Earlier this month, on October 2, 103 Naxalites were killed, including more than 49 rewarded Naxalites. Rs 1.06 crore was surrendered in Bijapur district.
