63 Naxalites, including 36 with bounty over Rs 1.19 crore, surrender in Chhattisgarh

A total of 63 Naxalites , including 36 carrying a collective bounty exceeding Rs 1.19 crore , surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Friday, a senior police official said.

The cadres, 18 of them women , gave themselves up before senior police and CRPF officials under the state’s ‘Poona Margem’ initiative , aimed at rehabilitation and social reintegration , Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said. The Naxalites cited the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy as a key factor in their decision, he added.

The surrendered cadres were reportedly active across south and west Bastar divisions , the Maad division , and areas bordering Odisha . Seven of them carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh each .

Among those who surrendered are Paklu, alias Pradip Oyam (45) , former secretary of the Kalahandi area committee of Maoists; Mohan, alias Azad Kadti (32) , a divisional committee member, along with his wife Sumitra, alias Droupati Chapa (30) , Bhairamarh area committee secretary; Hungi, alias Radhika Lekam (28) , platoon party committee member; Sukhram Tati (20) , member of Company No. 1; Pandu Madkam (19) and Somdu Kadti (21) , members of Company No. 7.

Seven cadres carried a bounty of Rs 5 lakh each, eight had Rs 2 lakh each, 11 had Rs 1 lakh each, and three carried Rs 50,000 each , bringing the total bounty of 36 Naxalites to Rs 1,19,50,000 .

As per government policy , all 63 surrendered cadres will receive immediate assistance of Rs 50,000 each , with further rehabilitation measures to follow.

On January 7, 26 Naxalites surrendered in the neighbouring Sukma district . In 2025, more than 1,500 Naxalites gave up arms in Chhattisgarh. The Centre has resolved to eliminate Naxalism from India by March 31, 2026 .