The 18 Naxalites surrendered in front of police and CRPF officials, citing disappointment with the Maoist ideology and being impressed by the government’s rehabilitation drive, ‘Lon Varratu.’ They were part of the Bhairamgarh and Malanger area committees of the Maoists in south Bastar. The cadres were involved in digging roads, felling trees to block roads, and putting up posters and banners during shutdowns called by Naxalites.
This surrender brings the total number of Naxalites who have joined the mainstream in Dantewada district to 738, including 177 who carried rewards on their heads. Security forces have intensified their crackdown on Naxalites in Chhattisgarh’s Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-hit districts. The surrender of these 18 Naxalites demonstrates the success of the government’s rehabilitation efforts and the dwindling support for the Naxalite movement.
