In a significant development in Chhattisgarh’s long fight against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), 28 Maoist cadres surrendered before the Narayanpur district police on November 25, 2025. The surrendered cadres, all members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), collectively carried a bounty of ₹89 lakh, reflecting their deep involvement in extremist activities within one of India’s most conflict-affected regions.

The surrender was facilitated under the State’s flagship deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme titled ‘Poona Margem: From Rehabilitation to Reintegration’, which aims to provide Maoist foot soldiers and sympathisers a structured pathway to renounce violence and rebuild their lives within mainstream society. The initiative, launched across the Bastar Range, has emerged as one of the most successful surrender-and-reintegration models in the country.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) P. Sundarraj, while confirming the episode, hailed it as a crucial step in weakening the Maoist network. According to him, the latest surrender reflects a larger pattern seen in Bastar over the last two months. As he detailed, more than 512 Maoists across the Bastar Range have surrendered in the last 50 days, a figure he described as unprecedented since the insurgency took root decades ago.

Narayanpur: A Crucial District in the Maoist Landscape

Narayanpur lies in the heart of Bastar, one of India’s most densely forested and heavily militarised regions owing to its prolonged exposure to Maoist insurgency. The district, along with Sukma and Bijapur, has been classified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs as among the most severely affected LWE districts in the country. Its geographical isolation, challenging terrain, and limited administrative presence make it a stronghold for extremist groups seeking to evade security forces.

For years, Narayanpur has witnessed ambushes, IED explosions, kidnappings, and assaults on both security personnel and civilians. Maoist outfits have traditionally operated in small, mobile units across the district’s interior villages and forest routes. These groups rely heavily on local recruitment, strategic hideouts, and control over movement and resources in remote areas.

The surrender of 28 cadres from such a region represents not only an important security achievement but a symbolic weakening of the ideological grip Maoists have held over the local population.

A Cumulative ₹89 Lakh Bounty: Significance of High-Value Surrender

The surrendered individuals carried rewards ranging from ₹1 lakh to several lakhs each, indicating that they were not merely supporters but active cadres involved in operations, logistics, communications, or ground-level violence. For security agencies, the surrender of high-value cadres reduces the operational capacity of extremist groups significantly.

Rewards on Maoist cadres are usually determined based on their role, leadership status, involvement in attacks, and association with major insurgent events. The ₹89 lakh cumulative bounty underscores the impact of this surrender on the Maoist organisational structure in Narayanpur.

‘Poona Margem’: A Model of Rehabilitation and Reintegration

The surrender falls under the broader umbrella of the ‘Poona Margem: From Rehabilitation to Reintegration’ initiative, specifically designed to counter Maoist influence in the Bastar region. The initiative goes beyond conventional surrender schemes that offer financial incentives. Instead, it incorporates a holistic rehabilitation model that includes:

• Psychosocial counselling and deradicalisation sessions

• Vocational training in fields such as agriculture, carpentry, tailoring, and forestry

• Financial support packages to enable self-employment

• Community integration programmes aimed at restoring social acceptance

• Protection measures for individuals at risk of retaliation from Maoist groups

• Access to education and welfare schemes for families and children of former cadres

Under this model, former Maoists can also receive assistance in obtaining housing, ration cards, Aadhaar registration, and access to government health and welfare schemes, enabling them to rebuild stable lives.

IG P. Sundarraj noted that the programme’s success lies in its emphasis on trust-building and consistent outreach, not merely financial incentives. According to him, cadres often express fatigue with constant movement, harsh living conditions, and fear of encounters. Many also realise the lack of upward mobility within the Maoist hierarchy, where leadership is concentrated among a few, leaving lower ranks vulnerable and expendable.

Wave of Surrenders in Bastar: A Turning Point

The IG’s statement that over 512 Maoists have surrendered in just 50 days indicates a seismic shift in the Maoist landscape. Several factors contribute to this wave:

1. Increased Presence of Security Forces

Chhattisgarh Police, CRPF, and specialised anti-naxal units like the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters have increased their presence across interior regions. Regular patrolling, expansion of camps, and new roads have reduced Maoist mobility.

2. Outreach and Confidence-Building Measures

Security forces have intensified their outreach efforts through initiatives such as:

• Civic Action Programmes

• Medical camps

• Infrastructure development

• Livelihood schemes

These measures have helped regain trust among villagers long caught between State and Maoist pressures.

3. Internal Frustration Among Maoist Ranks

Many surrendered cadres cite exploitation, forced labour, harsh living conditions, and limited opportunities as reasons for abandoning the movement. Younger cadres, in particular, struggle with the gap between ideological training and ground realities.

4. Local Development and Connectivity

Improved road connectivity and mobile network expansion across Bastar have exposed villagers and cadres alike to opportunities beyond the insurgency.

5. Targeted Operations Against Key Leaders

Elimination or surrender of local Maoist leaders often leads to disarray within local units, pushing remaining members to reconsider their involvement.

Impact on Remaining Maoist Structure

While Maoist influence has declined significantly in several parts of Chhattisgarh, strong pockets of resistance still remain. The districts of Sukma, Bijapur, and Narayanpur continue to witness occasional ambushes, attacks, and counter-operations. However, the frequency and intensity of these incidents have reduced in comparison to earlier years.

The surrender of 28 cadres comes at a time when Maoist units in the area are believed to be facing shortages of food, medical supplies, and logistical support due to persistent pressure from security forces. The weakening network structure and reduced recruitment further complicate their ability to sustain long-term resistance.

Reintegration: Challenges Ahead

While the surrender of cadres is a major achievement, reintegration presents its own challenges:

• Stigma: Some villagers are initially hesitant to accept former Maoists back into the community.

• Security Concerns: Risk of retaliation by Maoist units against surrendered cadres is a recurring threat.

• Psychological Rehabilitation: Many former cadres grapple with trauma, guilt, and fear due to years of exposure to violence.

• Employment: Sustainable livelihoods must be provided to prevent re-engagement with extremist groups.

The success of ‘Poona Margem’ depends on long-term, consistent implementation rather than short-term incentives.

A Broader National Context

Chhattisgarh remains the epicentre of India’s Maoist insurgency, accounting for a majority of LWE-related incidents. However, surrender trends have improved nationwide. According to recent MHA data, LWE-affected districts have reduced from over 90 to around 45 due to sustained counter-insurgency and development efforts.

Narayanpur’s recent surrender wave aligns with this national decline, signalling progress in India’s broader anti-LWE strategy.

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