Chhattisgarh’s anti-Maoist campaign achieved a major success as 26 Maoists surrendered in Sukma district. Thirteen of them carried a collective bounty of Rs 65 lakh, and seven were women.
The cadres laid down arms before senior police and CRPF officials under the Poona Margem rehabilitation initiative. Moreover, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan explained that the Maoists were active in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion, South Bastar division, Maad division, and the Andhra-Odisha Border division. They had participated in violent incidents across Abujhmad, Sukma, and bordering Odisha areas.
The surrendered Maoists stated that the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy influenced their decision. Authorities immediately provided each of them with Rs 50,000 in assistance, and full rehabilitation will follow.
Key Maoists Who Surrendered
- Lali alias Muchaki Aayte Lakhmu (35): Company Party Committee member with a Rs 10 lakh bounty. She took part in the 2017 Koraput IED blast in Odisha that killed 14 security personnel.
- Hemla Lakhma (41), Aasmita alias Kamlu Sanni (20), Rambati alias Padam Jogi (21), Sundam Pale (20): Each carried a bounty of Rs 8 lakh. Furthermore, Hemla Lakhma was involved in the 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma that killed 17 security personnel.
- Three Maoists carried bounties of Rs 5 lakh each, one had Rs 3 lakh, one had Rs 2 lakh, and three had Rs 1 lakh each.
SP Chavan appealed to all Maoists to abandon violence. In addition, he assured them of security and a respectable life if they returned to the mainstream.
