208 Naxalites lay down arms with 153 weapons in Dandakaranya

New Delhi: In a landmark development in Chhattisgarh’s decades-long fight against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), 208 Naxalites laid down their arms and opted for rehabilitation on Friday. Officials said this marks a major step toward restoring peace in the Dandakaranya region, with most of Abujhmad now freed from Naxal influence. “Only South Bastar remains affected,” top government sources added.

Diverse group of militants surrenders

The surrendered group includes 110 women and 98 men, spanning various ranks of the outlawed CPI (Maoist) organisation. Among them are one Central Committee Member (CCM), four Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) members, one Regional Committee Member, 21 Divisional Committee Members (DVCMs), 61 Area Committee Members (ACMs), 98 Party Members, and 22 PLGA/RPC/other cadres.

Large cache of weapons handed over

During the operation, the Maoists surrendered 153 weapons, including 19 AK-47 rifles, 17 SLR rifles, 23 INSAS rifles, one INSAS LMG, 36 .303 rifles, four carbines, 11 BGL launchers, 41 twelve-bore or single-shot guns, and one pistol.

Significant breakthrough for government policy

Officials described the surrender as one of the most important breakthroughs in recent years. They said it highlights the success of the government’s Naxal Eradication and Rehabilitation Policy 2025, which combines development initiatives, dialogue, and trust-building measures to encourage militants to return to the mainstream.

Top Maoist leaders among those surrendering

Key leaders who surrendered include Rupesh alias Satish (Central Committee Member), Bhaskar alias Rajman Mandavi (DKSZC Member), Ranita (DKSZC Member), Raju Salam (DKSZC Member), Dhannu Vetti alias Santu (DKSZC Member), and Ratan Elam (Regional Committee Member).

Path to lasting peace and development

Officials said the mass surrender represents a decisive step toward lasting peace and inclusive development in Bastar and the wider Dandakaranya region, once considered the epicentre of Naxalism. The large-scale surrender is expected to accelerate development efforts and further weaken the Maoist network in the Bastar division.

(With ANI Inputs)