51 Maoists with ₹1.61 crore reward surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division

As many as 51 Maoists, carrying a collective bounty of ₹1.61 crore, surrendered before the police in two districts under the Bastar division on Saturday (February 7, 2026), a senior officer said.

With the March 31, 2026, deadline to eliminate Maoism closing in, the number of surrenders across Chhattisgarh so far this year now stands at around 300.

The surrender coincided with the inauguration of the Bastar Pandum 2026 festival in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district, by President Droupadi Murmu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s arrival in Raipur on a three-day visit.

The surrendered cadres include 34 women.

Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam said 30 cadres, including 20 women, surrendered in Bijapur district, while 21 others, including 14 female members, joined the mainstream in neighbouring Sukma district under the “Poona Margem rehabilitation initiative of Bastar Police.

The ultras said they were impressed by the State Government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy, he said.

In Bijpaur, the cadres belonging to the south sub-zonal bureau of Maoists shunned violence and joined the mainstream before senior police and CRPF officials, the IGP said.

Among the 30 cadres, Boti Podiyam alias Malla (23), a platoon party committee member, and Sukhram Madkam (24), and Reena Punem (25), both party members of different companies of Maoists, carried a reward of ₹8 lakh each, he said.

Five others carried a bounty of ₹5 lakh each, 14 Maoists carried a reward of ₹2 lakh each, and eight others a reward of ₹1 lakh each. The 30 cadres carried a collective reward of ₹85 lakh, he added.

In Sukma, 21 cadres of the Darbha division, south Bastar division, and Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division (Odisha) of Maoists turned themselves in before senior police and CRPF officers.

Among them, Sodhi Mahesh (35), Podiyam Raju (30), and Karam Mamta (30)- all divisional committee members- carried a reward of ₹8 lakh each on their heads.

Five other cadres carried a bounty of ₹5 lakh each, 12 others ₹2 lakh each and one ₹3 lakh, the police officer said.

The ultras in Sukma laid down arms, including three AK-47 rifles with 8 magazines, two Self Loading Rifles with two magazines, one Insas rifle, five single-shot guns, three Barrel Grenade Launchers (BGLs) with 20 rounds, ten gelatin sticks and 20 non-electric detonators, he said.

“The achievement was the result of the State Government’s comprehensive anti-Maoist policy, sustained and effective action by security forces, and coordinated efforts based on peace, dialogue and development, clearly indicating that abandoning the path of violence and choosing a dignified and secure life is the only lasting solution,” Mr. Sundarraj added.

The surrendered Maoists were provided with immediate assistance of ₹50,000 each and will be further rehabilitated as per the government’s policy.

Mr. Sundarraj further said the base of Maoists has been shrinking rapidly due to the establishment of security camps in remote and inaccessible areas, improved road connectivity, continuous successful anti-Maoist operations, and the effective reach of the government’s development schemes.

He appealed to the remaining Maoist cadres to surrender, saying, a path of violence leads only to destruction, suffering, and darkness. He said the ‘Poona Margem’ campaign paves the way for peace, a dignified life, and a positive future.

Notably, 52 Maoists had turned themselves in on January 15 in neighbouring Bijapur district. More than 1,500 Maoists had surrendered in 2025 in Chhattisgarh.

Reacting to the surrenders in Sukma and Bijapur, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the development marked another significant step towards ensuring peace, trust and development in the Bastar region.

It was a concrete outcome of the government’s sustained efforts to restore peace, coupled with the expansion of roads, education, healthcare, communication and basic amenities in remote and sensitive areas over the past two years, he said.

Mr. Sai said the State’s good governance policy focuses on security along with trust, rehabilitation, and future opportunities. All necessary support will be provided for the rehabilitation, skill development and self-reliance of the surrendered youths.

Bastar was rapidly moving from fear and violence towards trust, development and new opportunities, he added.

Published – February 07, 2026 07:46 pm IST