Dantewada, Chhattisgarh: In a significant boost to the ongoing anti-Naxal campaign, 28 Maoists — including 12 women — surrendered before senior police and CRPF officials in Dantewada, officials said on Sunday. The move came under Poona Margem, an initiative focused on rehabilitation and social reintegration of former cadres.
Dantewada Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai said the initiative, introduced by the Bastar range police, has become a transformative model aimed at restoring peace, dignity and long-term development in the region.
Among the key cadres who laid down arms were Kumali alias Anita Mandavi, Geeta alias Lakshmi Madkam, Ranjan alias Soma Mandavi and Bhima alias Jahaj Kalmu — each carrying a reward of ₹8 lakh.
Under the government’s rehabilitation policy, all surrendered cadres will receive immediate financial assistance of ₹50,000 along with access to skill development programs, agricultural land and other support systems to rebuild their lives.
According to officials, more than 508 Maoists — including 165 rewarded cadres — have surrendered in Dantewada in the last 20 months alone, encouraged by state and central rehabilitation efforts. Across Chhattisgarh, over 2,200 Naxalites have abandoned the outlawed movement in the past 23 months.
The Centre has announced a target to eliminate Naxalism nationwide by March 2026.
