Sixteen Naxalites, Including Six with Rs 25 Lakh Bounty, Surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma; Village Declared Naxal-Free
In a significant step toward restoring peace and normalcy in Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-hit regions, 16 Naxalites — including six with a cumulative reward of Rs 25 lakh on their heads — surrendered to security forces in Sukma district on Monday.
The mass surrender took place in the presence of senior officials from the Chhattisgarh Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Among the surrendered individuals, nine were residents of Kerlapenda village panchayat, located within the jurisdiction of the Chintalanar police station.
With the withdrawal of these cadres from the outlawed Maoist movement, the village has now been officially declared Naxal-free.
This development qualifies Kerlapenda for a Rs 1 crore incentive for infrastructure and welfare projects, as part of a new initiative launched by the state government.
Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan confirmed that the surrendered cadres included one woman.
They reportedly cited deep disillusionment with the Maoist ideology, calling it “hollow” and “inhuman” — and condemned the violent treatment of tribal communities by the Naxalite leadership.
According to the SP, the Chhattisgarh government’s ongoing development scheme ‘Niyad Nellanar’ (which translates to ‘your good village’ in the local dialect) played a pivotal role in persuading the cadres to lay down arms.
The initiative seeks to bring basic amenities and development to remote and previously insurgency-affected areas.
The surrender also comes in the wake of the newly launched Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy-2025, which offers more structured assistance and long-term support for former insurgents seeking to reintegrate into society.
Among the high-profile individuals who surrendered are:
- Rita alias Dodi Sukki (36), a key member of the Maoists’ Central Regional Committee Company No. 2, with a reward of Rs 8 lakh.
- Rahul Punem (18), an active member of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) Battalion No. 1, is also carrying a bounty of Rs 8 lakh.
- Lekam Lakhma (28), with a reward of Rs 3 lakh.
- Three additional cadres, each with rewards of Rs 2 lakh.
All 16 individuals will be rehabilitated under the government’s policy, beginning with an immediate financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each.
Authorities have assured that they will be offered vocational training, livelihood support, and educational opportunities to help them reintegrate and lead productive lives.
Under the Elvad Panchayat Yojana, introduced as part of the new surrender and rehabilitation framework, any village panchayat that facilitates the surrender of active Naxalites and passes a formal resolution declaring the area Maoist-free will receive Rs 1 crore for development activities.
The funds are intended to enhance roads, education, healthcare, drinking water, and other essential infrastructure in regions historically neglected due to insurgency.
Kerlapenda becomes the second village in the Sukma district to benefit from this policy. In April, Badesatti village earned the “Naxal-free” status following the surrender of 11 lower-ranking Maoist operatives from the area.
SP Kiran Chavan emphasized the impact of these initiatives, stating, “This surrender is not just a step toward peace but a strong message that development and dialogue are more powerful than violence.”
The state has witnessed a growing trend of surrenders in recent times. In 2024 alone, a total of 792 Naxalites gave up arms in the Bastar region, which includes seven insurgency-affected districts, including Sukma.
These figures reflect the changing mindset among lower and mid-level Maoist cadres, who are increasingly opting for rehabilitation over armed struggle.
Officials remain optimistic that with the continuation of development schemes, improved outreach, and responsive governance, more villages in Bastar and surrounding regions will follow suit in shedding the shadow of extremism.
