26 Naxalites surrender in Sukma, 13 carry Rs 65 lakh bounty

In a major development, 26 Naxalites, including seven women, surrendered to police and CRPF officials in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Wednesday under the state’s “Poona Margem” rehabilitation initiative , aimed at reintegrating cadres into society, officials said.

The surrendered members were active in the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) , operating in the South Bastar, Maad, and Andhra-Odisha Border divisions. They were involved in several violent incidents across Abujhmad, Sukma, and adjoining Odisha districts.

Among them, Lali alias Muchaki Aayte Lakhmu (35) , a company party committee member, carried a Rs 10 lakh bounty . She was involved in a 2017 IED blast on Koraput road (Odisha) that killed 14 security personnel. Four other key cadres— Hemla Lakhma (41), Aasmita alias Kamlu Sanni (20), Rambati alias Padam Jogi (21), and Sundam Pale (20) —each had a reward of Rs 8 lakh . Lakhma was reportedly involved in the 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma, which claimed 17 lives of security personnel.

In total, 13 cadres carried bounties amounting to Rs 65 lakh , with others carrying rewards ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. All surrendered members were provided Rs 50,000 each as immediate assistance and will undergo further rehabilitation as per government policy.

Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan praised the initiative, stating that the cadres were impressed by the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policies. He also appealed to all those associated with the outlawed Maoist organization to renounce violence, assuring them of security and a respectable life .

Currently, 11 districts in India remain affected by Naxal/Maoist activity , with 3 districts in Chhattisgarh classified as the most affected. The active cadre strength has declined sharply , with an estimated around 500 fighters still operational, reflecting the impact of government counter-insurgency and rehabilitation efforts.