Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], January 27 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said the state government has repeatedly appealed to Maoists to abandon violence and join the mainstream of development, adding that more than 2,000 Maoists have surrendered so far under the rehabilitation policy.
‘We have repeatedly appealed to the Maoists to abandon the language of violence and gunfire and join the mainstream of development. The government will treat them fairly, and the results are already evident,’ Sai said. He added that the state has formulated a comprehensive rehabilitation policy under which surrendered Maoists are being provided skill training and financial assistance of INR 10,000 per month.
The Chief Minister said the new rehabilitation policy also includes provisions for allotting land for farming and land for building houses in urban areas. ‘In this way, the government is concerned about their future and is working towards their well-being,’ he said.
Earlier, 34 Naxals surrendered in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. According to Bijapur Police, the surrendered cadres were collectively carrying a reward of INR 84 lakh.
The surrender took place under the state government’s rehabilitation initiative titled Poona Margham: Punarvas Se Punarjeevan, which focuses on bringing former extremists back into the mainstream through welfare-based measures. Officials said the development reflects the impact of sustained anti-Naxal operations combined with confidence-building efforts.
The Central Government has set a deadline to eradicate Naxalism from the country by March 2026 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(ANI)