29 maoists, including rewarded leader, surrender in Chhattisgarh

The outlawed CPI (Maoist) suffered a significant setback in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday as 29 cadres , including a senior Maoist leader with a Rs 2 lakh bounty , surrendered to police in Sukma district . The move highlights the declining strength of Maoist operations in the region and underscores the effectiveness of the state government’s rehabilitation and reintegration initiative.

Among those surrendering was Podiam Budhra , the head of the Dandakaranya Adivasi Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (DAKMS) in the Gogunda area and a key operative in the Maoists’ Darbha division. Known for orchestrating recruitment, logistics, and frontline operations, Budhra was one of the most influential figures in Sukma’s Maoist network, carrying a Rs 2 lakh reward on his head.

The remaining cadres included members of DAKMS , the Maoist militia , and the Janatana Sarkar , all crucial to the organizational and operational backbone of the Darbha division . The surrenders came under the state government’s “Poona Margem” initiative, which facilitates rehabilitation, social reintegration, and financial support for those leaving the insurgency.

Officials credited the recent establishment of a security camp in Gogunda for the wave of surrenders. The camp enabled intensified anti-Naxal operations , sustained pressure, and continuous search operations, significantly curbing Maoist activities in what had been a strategic stronghold in the forested and difficult terrain of the Darbha division.

“This surrender marks a major milestone in weakening the Maoist network in Sukma. We appeal to all those still associated with the outlawed organization to abandon violence; the government assures them security and a dignified life,” said Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan .

The trend of surrenders has been accelerating recently. On January 8, 63 Naxalites surrendered in neighboring Dantewada , while 26 cadres joined the mainstream in Sukma on January 7. Over 1,500 Maoists laid down arms across Chhattisgarh in 2025, reflecting a clear decline in the insurgents’ strength.

With the Centre aiming to eliminate Naxalism nationwide by March 31, 2026 , a combination of targeted security operations and a robust rehabilitation framework is steadily drawing cadres away from insurgency, signaling a potential turning point in Chhattisgarh’s long battle against left-wing extremism.