Blow to insurgency: 103 Maoists surrender in Bijapur

The mass surrender, one of the biggest in recent times, held on Gandhi Jayanti, is described by security forces as a significant blow to the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) network as well as to its ideology of violence. According to officials, 410 Maoists have surrendered in Bijapur district so far this year, while 421 ultras have been arrested and 138 killed in encounters with security agencies.

The mass surrender ceremony was attended by DIG (Dantewada range) Kamlochan Kashyap, IG (Keripu Sector) BS Negi, and Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav. Each Maoist cadre who laid down arms were given a cheque of ₹50,000 as immediate assistance under the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.

“The government’s rehabilitation policy is attracting Maoists. The relatives of those who surrender also want them to live a normal life and walk hand in hand with society,” SP Yadav said, and appealed to remaining ultras to accept the offer and reintegrate with their families.