Seven Naxals surrender before Chhattisgarh Police in Gariyaband

Gariyaband (Chhattisgarh) [India], November 22 (HBTV): Seven Naxals carrying a combined bounty of INR 37 lakh surrendered before the Chhattisgarh Police in Gariyaband district on Friday.

Raipur Range IG Amresh Mishra described the development as a significant breakthrough. ‘I believe this is a historic success. Seven Naxalite members of the Udanti Area Committee have surrendered today,’ he told ANI. He added that the surrendered cadres were carrying six weapons.

In October, 21 Naxals — including Keshkal Division Committee Secretary Mukesh, along with 13 women cadres and eight men — surrendered in Bastar, handing over 18 weapons.

Earlier this week, Bastar Inspector General of Police P Sundarraj said the state police remained hopeful of achieving their target of making Chhattisgarh Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. He noted that more than 2,200 Naxals had joined the mainstream in the past 20 months.

‘Left Wing Extremism has been a major security challenge across the country for decades. The last few years have been decisive for the security forces in Bastar. In the last two seasons, we have recovered over 450 Naxalite bodies, including top cadres such as Basavaraju,’ he told ANI.

He added that more than 300 Maoist cadres — including Central Committee, Politburo, and Divisional Committee members — had surrendered in recent months. According to him, surrendered Naxals are undergoing skill development training as part of a rehabilitation package that includes economic assistance.

Sundarraj also reiterated that a comprehensive action plan had significantly weakened Maoist strongholds in the region. (ANI)