Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, historically a Naxal stronghold, witnessed a significant event as 103 Naxalites surrendered to authorities last Thursday. This mass surrender marks an unprecedented shift in the state’s history, with such a large number of Naxalites returning to the mainstream in a single instance. The police had previously placed rewards totaling 1 crore 6 lakh 30 thousand rupees on 49 of the surrendered individuals. In addition to this, each Naxalite received a 50,000-rupee incentive from officials.
The surrender ceremony was attended by key officials, including DIG (Dantewada Range) Kamlochan Kashyap, IG (CRPF Sector) BS Negi, and Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav. The surrendered Naxalites were immediately provided with a check for 50,000 rupees, as per the Chhattisgarh government’s new surrender and rehabilitation policy.
SP Yadav highlighted that the government’s policy is effectively encouraging Maoists to reintegrate into society. He noted the desire of the surrendered individuals’ families for them to lead normal lives and urged other Naxalites to return to their families and communities. Authorities reported that, within Bijapur district alone, 410 Naxalites have surrendered this year, alongside 421 arrests and 137 Maoist fatalities.
The surrender included several high-ranking Naxalite commanders. These included Lachhu Punem alias Santosh (communication commander of the Southern Sub-Zonal Bureau), Guddu Farsa alias Vijay (Company No. 10), and Bhima Sodhi alias Kamal Singh/Sukhdev (PPCM and security guard commander). Each of these commanders had an 8-lakh-rupee reward on their heads. Furthermore, area committee leaders, RPCs, militia commanders, and members of the Janatana Sarkar were also among those who surrendered.
According to police records, the majority of the Naxalites are from the Muriya tribe, with ages ranging from 18 to 40 years. They hail from rural areas within the Bhairamgarh, Gangalur, and Nelsonar police station jurisdictions.
The Chhattisgarh government has implemented a new Naxalite surrender and rehabilitation policy in 2025, with a goal of achieving a Naxal-free state by March 2026.
The government has established a comprehensive plan for the surrendered Naxalites. This includes financial assistance up to 5 lakh rupees for land and housing, an immediate 50,000-rupee incentive, and special programs designed to support the education and employment of their children. Individuals with rewards of 5 lakh rupees or more will receive residential land in urban areas or agricultural land in rural areas, or property assistance valued at 2 lakh rupees. Unmarried, widowed, or widower Naxalites are eligible for 1 lakh rupees in assistance for marriage, to be provided within three years. Law enforcement officers and other individuals who aid in surrenders are entitled to 10 percent of the declared reward amount, up to a maximum of 5 lakh rupees. In instances of collective surrenders from a single panchayat area, 4 crore rupees will be allocated for development projects in that area. Incentive amounts will be doubled for mass surrenders. Additional rewards will be provided for the recovery of weapons and explosives.
The Bijapur police attribute the growing frustration within the Maoist organization to a combination of factors, including leadership losses, internal disagreements, the impact of infrastructure development, and increased security force operations. The central government’s objective is to eradicate Naxalism from the country by 2026, prompting an intensification of counter-insurgency efforts. The establishment of new security camps, the implementation of road projects, and community policing initiatives have encouraged Naxalites to surrender. The combined efforts of the DRG, District Force, STF, and Cobra Battalion have also played a crucial role.
The surrendered Naxalites were influenced by the Chhattisgarh government’s 2025 Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy and the Niyat Nellanar scheme. The government has emphasized its commitment to offering respect and a new life to those who abandon violence and rejoin society. The surrendered individuals were awarded a 50,000-rupee incentive, with additional rewards for surrendering weapons, such as 15,000 rupees for an LMG and 10,000 rupees for an IED.
Authorities believe that the situation has evolved to the point where surrendered Naxalites are now contributing to the strength of the security forces. They have been integrated into the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and their local knowledge is proving to be invaluable to the security forces.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai hailed the surrender as a triumph of peace and development on Vijayadashami. He stated that the 2025 Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy and the Niyat Nellanar scheme have instilled faith in the public. The surrender of 103 Naxalites in Bijapur is a testament to this. The objective is to make Chhattisgarh completely Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.