In a significant blow to the Maoist movement, 19 Naxalites, including nine with a combined bounty of ₹28 lakh, surrendered before security forces in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Monday.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav, the surrendered cadres, including a couple, expressed dissatisfaction with the “hollow” and “inhuman” ideology of the Maoists, citing internal conflicts and exploitation of innocent tribals by senior leaders.

Among the key surrenders are Deva Padam (30) and his wife Dule Kalmu (28), both senior members of Battalion No. 1 of the Maoist outfit, each carrying a bounty of ₹8 lakh. Others include Suresh Kattam (21), an area committee member with a ₹5 lakh reward, one cadre with a ₹2 lakh bounty, and five others carrying ₹1 lakh rewards each.

The increasing presence of security forces, establishment of camps, and developmental initiatives like the ‘Niya Nellanar’ (Your Good Village) scheme reportedly influenced their decision. Security forces, including the District Reserve Guard, Bastar Fighters, Special Task Force, CRPF, and CoBRA unit, played a vital role in facilitating the surrender.

Each surrendered Naxalite has been given ₹25,000 assistance and will be rehabilitated under government schemes.

This development brings the total number of surrenders in Bijapur this year to 84. Notably, 792 Naxalites surrendered in the Bastar region last year.