Dantewada (Chattisgarh): As many as 63 Naxalites, including 36 carrying a cumulative bounty of more than ₹1.19 crore, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district on Friday, police officials said.
The cadres, among them 18 women, laid down their arms before senior police officers and Central Reserve Police Force officials under the state government’s ‘Poona Margem’ initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation and social reintegration. Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said the surrendered Naxalites cited growing disillusionment with violence and expressed confidence in the government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.
According to officials, the cadres were active across the south Bastar, west Bastar and Maad divisions of Chhattisgarh, as well as in Maoist-affected areas along the Odisha border. Seven of the surrendered Naxalites carried individual rewards of ₹8 lakh each. Among them were senior Maoist functionaries, including Paklu alias Pradip Oyam, a secretary of the Kalahandi area committee, and Mohan alias Azad Kadti, a divisional committee member, along with other key operatives linked to armed companies and area committees.
Police said another seven cadres were carrying rewards of ₹5 lakh each, eight had bounties of ₹2 lakh each, 11 were wanted with rewards of ₹1 lakh each, while three carried rewards of ₹50,000 each. Together, the 36 rewarded cadres accounted for a total bounty of ₹1.19 crore.
All 63 surrendered Naxalites will be given immediate financial assistance of ₹50,000 each and will be rehabilitated further in accordance with the state government’s policy, the police said.
Earlier this week, 26 Naxalites had surrendered in neighbouring Sukma district. Officials said more than 1,500 Naxalites gave up violence and joined the mainstream in Chhattisgarh during 2025. The Centre has reiterated its resolve to eliminate Naxalism from the country by March 31, 2026.
