In a significant breakthrough for security forces, 12 Maoists, including four women, surrendered in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s ongoing fight against insurgency.
The event, which took place at the district police headquarters under the ‘Lone Varatu’ campaign—an initiative urging Maoists to reintegrate into mainstream society—was overseen by Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai.
Notably, nine of the surrendered individuals carried a combined bounty of Rs 28.50 lakh, highlighting the high-profile nature of this operation. The surrendered Maoists cited disillusionment with the movement and the promise of rehabilitation as key factors in their decision.
The ‘Lone Varatu’ campaign, meaning “appeal for homecoming” in the local Gondi language, has been instrumental in encouraging Maoist cadres to abandon violence.
This latest surrender adds to a growing trend, with over 800 Maoists laying down arms in the Bastar division alone in 2024, driven by intensified security measures and rapid development projects in previously conflict-ridden areas.
