Raipur
Notorious Naxalite Chaitu alias Shyam Dada, the alleged mastermind of the 2013 Jhiram Valley attack in which 32 people, including top Congress leaders, were killed, has surrendered to the police in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh.
Chaitu, who was a member of the DKSZCM (Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee) cadre and carried a reward of ₹25 lakh on his head, laid down his arms before Inspector General (IG) of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P.
According to IG Sundarraj P, the total reward money declared for Chaitu and other Naxalites who surrendered with him stood at ₹65 lakh. He added that the police are currently searching for other prominent Naxalites, including Polit Bureau member Devji, Central Committee member Ramdar, DKSZC member Paparao, and Deva (Barse Deva).
Naxalite’s Statement
Following his surrender, Chaitu (age ~63) said he decided to abandon the path of violence after considering the present circumstances. He also mentioned that other associates, including Rupesh and Sonu Dada, have surrendered.
According to Naxal expert sources, Chaitu was the key planner behind the Jhiram attack. Sources state that he played a major role in the 25 May 2013 attack on the Congress Parivartan Yatra in Darbha Valley, in which Mahendra Karma and other leaders and security personnel were killed. The IG of Police, however, stated that he would share details only after examining the relevant files.
The Jhiram Valley Attack
The attack took place on 25 May 2013, just months before the scheduled Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh.
The state Congress party was conducting a Parivartan Yatra (Change Rally) across the state. On the day of the ambush, a convoy of around 25 vehicles, carrying approximately 200 leaders and workers, was travelling from Sukma to Jagdalpur after a rally. The convoy included the then Chhattisgarh Congress President Nandkumar Patel, his son Dinesh Patel, and Kawasi Lakhma.
The Naxalites attacked the convoy in Jhiram Valley, killing 32 people. Among the deceased were senior Congress leader V.C. Shukla, Nandkumar Patel, and prominent tribal leader Mahendra Karma, who led the anti-Naxalite movement Salwa Judum. Karma was reportedly shot multiple times.
