Surrendered Maoists help counter IED threats as Bastar 2.0 plan rolls out

In Bastar, once the epicentre of Left‑Wing Extremism, the Chhattisgarh police have engaged surrendered Naxalites with expertise in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to train security personnel, officials said on Thursday. The initiative aims to strengthen the ability to detect and neutralise hidden explosive threats left behind during decades of conflict , protecting both security forces and local communities.

About 20 former cadres with hands-on experience assembling and concealing devices are now assisting at the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College in Kanker district, sharing insider field knowledge to help forces manage residual dangers in dense forest terrain rather than target active insurgents.

While this has operational value, many surrendered fighters face moral and emotional challenges in confronting remnants of a past that may include lost friends, fear of danger and disappointment if prior expectations of government jobs or secure prospects were unmet. Rehabilitation efforts now emphasise counseling, vocational training and livelihood opportunities , from carpentry and tailoring to employment placements, to help them reintegrate into society.

Security remains a priority: nearly 40,000 central forces will continue extended deployment while state police strength is enhanced to ensure stability and community safety during the transition.

In parallel, the state has unveiled the ‘Bastar 2.0’ development blueprint , presented to the Prime Minister, focusing on infrastructure, jobs, tourism, irrigation, education and start‑ups to build long‑term prosperity in the region now emerging from conflict.

Meanwhile, continued rehabilitation efforts across Bastar have encouraged surrenders under programmes such as the ‘Puna Margam’ campaign, with dozens of cadres laying down arms in recent months, reflecting growing confidence in peace processes and support for mainstream society.