Big breakthrough as 9 Naxalites, including 7 women, lay down arms in Chattisgarh

Dhamtari (The Uttam Hindu): Chhattisgarh Police has achieved a major success in its anti-Naxal operation. Nine Naxalites, carrying a total bounty of ₹4.7 million, surrendered to police in Dhamtari district on Friday. Seven female Naxalites were among those who surrendered, according to Raipur Range Inspector General of Police (IG) Amresh Mishra.

Odisha and Dhamtari were active on the border

IG Amresh Mishra stated that all the surrendered cadres were active under the Dhamtari-Gariaband-Nuapada division of the Odisha Maoist Committee. These Naxalites were working with the Nagari and Sitanadi Area Committees, as well as the Mainpur Local Guerrilla Squad. Due to increased police pressure and ongoing operations, these Naxalites were on the back foot.

Troubled by hollow ideology

The Naxalites told police officers that they were fed up with the Maoist organization's hollow ideology and the extremely difficult life in the jungle. This frustration led them to decide to abandon violence. Furthermore, they were deeply impressed by the Chhattisgarh government's surrender and rehabilitation policy, which inspired them to return to the mainstream.

How much was the reward on whom?

According to the police, the surrendered Naxalites included high-ranking officials. These included Sitanadi Area Committee Secretary Jyoti alias Jaini (28) and Divisional Committee member Usha alias Balamma (45), on whom the government had announced a bounty of ₹8 lakh each.

Six other Naxalites—Ramdas Markam (30), Roni alias Uma (25), Niranjan alias Podiya (25), Sindhu alias Somadi (25), Reena alias Chiro (25), and Amila alias Sunny (25)—carried a reward of ₹5 lakh each. Another female Naxalite, Laxmi Punem (18), carried a reward of ₹1 lakh. Police have begun the process of rehabilitating them.