In a major anti-Maoist operation, security forces in Chhattisgarh's Abhujmaad region uncovered a Maoist hideout, leading to the recovery of ₹6 lakh in cash, 11 laptops, and 50 kg of explosives. The hideout, located in the forest hills between Kasod and Kumuradi villages, was being used by senior Maoist leaders. These individuals reportedly fled the location before the arrival of the forces.

The operation marks a significant victory in the state’s ongoing fight against left-wing extremism, often referred to as the Naxalite insurgency.

Details of the Raid in Abhujmaad

The Enforcement forces, acting on intelligence input, raided the Maoist hideout and discovered large-scale material indicating active operational planning. According to officials, this was a strategic site often used by senior Maoist commanders, possibly as a base for explosive manufacturing and digital coordination, considering the presence of multiple laptops.

The seized ₹6 lakh cash is suspected to have been used for funding local Maoist cells and recruitment activities in the Bastar region. The recovery of 50 kg of explosives is being termed a critical success, considering the risk such weapons posed to civilians and law enforcement personnel operating in the region.

22 Maoists Surrender in Sukma

In a related development on the same day, 22 Maoist cadres, including nine women, surrendered before security forces in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh. The move is seen as a major blow to Maoist presence in the region, particularly in the sensitive Maad and Nuapada divisions, where several high-profile ambushes have taken place in recent years.

Among those who surrendered were:

• Muchaki Joga, 33, Deputy Commander in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), Company No. 1

• Muchaki Jogi, 28, his wife, a key squad member, both carried ₹8 lakh bounties

• Kikid Deve, 30, and Manoj alias Dudhi Budhra, 28, Area Committee members with ₹5 lakh rewards each

The Sukma Superintendent of Police, Kiran Chavan, confirmed that 12 of the surrendered rebels had bounties totalling ₹40.5 lakh. Many of them were involved in multiple violent attacks on forces including the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action).

Influence of the Niyad Nellanar Scheme

The surrendered Maoists cited disillusionment with the "hollow" and "inhuman" ideology of the Maoist leadership. They were also influenced by the Chhattisgarh government’s ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, which aims to promote development, provide rehabilitation, and offer new opportunities in tribal-dominated areas.

Under this scheme, surrendered Maoists receive rehabilitation support, vocational training, and financial assistance to integrate back into society. This initiative is considered instrumental in weakening the Maoist ecosystem by addressing root causes of alienation in remote villages.

Larger Context: Naxal-Free India Mission

This incident adds to the growing momentum of India’s plan to eliminate Maoist insurgency. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking on March 20, reaffirmed the Modi government’s commitment to achieving a Naxal-free India by March 31, 2026.

He stated,
“Our soldiers have achieved another big success in the direction of ‘Naxal Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’. The Modi government is moving forward with a ruthless approach against Naxalites and is adopting a zero-tolerance policy against those Naxalites who are not surrendering despite all the facilities ranging from surrender to inclusion.”

His statement comes as the Ministry of Home Affairs steps up efforts under the National Policy and Action Plan to combat Left Wing Extremism, combining security measures, development programmes, and surrender policies.

Previous Surrenders and Progress in Bastar

In 2024 alone, a record 792 Maoists surrendered across the Bastar region, which comprises seven districts including Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, and others. This shift is being viewed as a result of both increased tactical pressure by security forces and the welfare schemes introduced by the state to address socio-economic deprivation.

The combination of hard policing and soft incentives has led to a consistent weakening of Maoist recruitment and operational command in the central Indian region known for dense jungles and tribal populations.

Significance of Laptops and Explosives

The recovery of 11 laptops is being investigated further for intelligence data, communication logs, and coordination blueprints between Maoist leaders across states. Digital forensics teams have been deployed to retrieve potentially encrypted files, which could offer valuable insight into the internal planning of the Maoist structure.

The 50 kg of explosives, if weaponised, could have been used for IED attacks, landmines, or ambush operations targeting convoys. The fact that such a cache was found abandoned suggests that the sudden pressure from security forces forced the Maoists to flee in haste.

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