35 Naxalites surrender in Bastar as LWE deadline ends

In a significant step toward peace in Chhattisgarh, 35 Naxalites surrendered across five districts in Bastar , just as the Centre’s March 31 deadline for Left Wing Extremism (LWE) eradication ended.

Of these, 25 cadres , including 12 women from the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) , surrendered in Bijapur district under the police’s Poona Margem initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration, said Bastar IGP Sundarraj Pattlingam .

The remaining cadres surrendered in Dantewada, Sukma, Kanker, and Narayanpur , including several senior Maoist commanders. Each cadre carried rewards ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 8 lakh .

“This marks a turning point for Bastar,” said Pattlingam. “After decades of violence, we are moving toward a peaceful future , focusing on development and stability in the region.”

The coordinated surrenders involved local police, CRPF, Special Task Force, CoBRA, and other security units , highlighting the continuing efforts to achieve a Naxal-free Chhattisgarh.