Daijiworld Media Network - Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh, Jan 7: In a major breakthrough for anti-Naxal operations, 26 Maoists, including seven women cadres, surrendered before senior police and CRPF officials in Sukma district on Wednesday under the “Poona Margem” rehabilitation initiative, aimed at social reintegration, officials said.

The surrendered members were active in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) of the South Bastar, Maad, and Andhra-Odisha Border divisions and were involved in several violent incidents in Abujhmad, Sukma, and adjoining Odisha regions.

Of the 26 cadres, 13 carried rewards totaling Rs 65 lakh. Among them, Lali alias Muchaki Aayte Lakhmu (35), a company party committee member, had the highest bounty of Rs 10 lakh. Lakhmu was involved in major attacks, including the 2017 IED blast on Koraput road (Odisha) that killed 14 security personnel.

Other key surrendered cadres included:

• Hemla Lakhma (41) – linked to the 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma, which claimed 17 security personnel; bounty Rs 8 lakh.

• Aasmita alias Kamlu Sanni (20) – bounty Rs 8 lakh.

• Rambati alias Padam Jogi (21) – bounty Rs 8 lakh.

• Sundam Pale (20) – bounty Rs 8 lakh.

Among the remaining surrendered cadres, three had bounties of Rs 5 lakh each, one Rs 3 lakh, one Rs 2 lakh, and three Rs 1 lakh each.

As part of the state government’s rehabilitation policy, each surrendered cadre was given Rs 50,000 initially, with further assistance and support planned for smooth reintegration into society.

Sukma SP Kiran Chavan urged all members of the banned Maoist organisation to abandon violence and assured them of security, dignity, and a peaceful life if they chose to surrender.

This mass surrender is a significant milestone in Chhattisgarh’s ongoing anti-Naxal operations, reflecting the effectiveness of the government’s rehabilitation and reintegration strategies in the conflict-affected districts.