Major Blow to Maoists in Bastar: 108 Cadres Surrender, Weapons Cache and ₹3.61 Crore Cash Seized
Raipur
In a major setback to the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation in Chhattisgarh, 108 Maoist cadres from the Bastar region surrendered before senior security officials at Shaurya Bhawan on Wednesday. The group includes 44 women cadres.
The surrendered Maoists carried a combined bounty of ₹3.29 crore on their heads. The development comes under the state government’s “Poona Margom – Rehabilitation to Rebirth” initiative. Under this programme, 2,714 Maoist cadres have abandoned violence across the state in the last 26 months.
In Bastar division alone, 2,625 cadres have joined the mainstream between 1 January 2024 and 9 March 2026.
Senior Maoist Leaders Among Those Who Surrendered
Several senior-ranking Maoist leaders who surrendered expressed disillusionment with Maoist ideology. Key names include:
- Rahul Telam, Pandaru Kovasi and Jhitru Oyam – Divisional Committee Members (DVCM), West Bastar Division
- Ramdhar alias Biru – DVCM, East Bastar Division
- Mallesh – DVCM, North Bastar Division
- Muchaki – CYPC Commander, PLGA Battalion No. 01
- Kosa Mandavi – DVCM, Andhra–Odisha Border (AOB)
Massive Recovery of Arms and Cash
Based on information provided by the surrendered cadres, security forces launched operations across several districts and recovered 101 lethal weapons from Maoist hideouts. The seized weapons include:
- 7 AK-47 rifles
- 10 INSAS rifles
- 5 SLR rifles
- 4 LMGs
- 20 .303 rifles
- 11 BGL launchers
In a record-breaking recovery, security forces also seized ₹3.61 crore in cash and 1 kilogram of gold worth ₹1.64 crore from a single Maoist hideout. Officials said this is the largest cash recovery ever from a Maoist dump in anti-naxal operations in India.
District-wise Recovery of Weapons
- Narayanpur – 49
- Bastar – 24
- Sukma – 12
- Bijapur – 09
- Dantewada – 05
- Kanker – 02
State Focus on Rehabilitation
The surrender ceremony was attended by DGP Arun Deo Gautam, ADG (Anti-Naxal Operations) Vivekanand, ADG (BSF) Sivang Namgyal, and IGP (Bastar Range) P. Sundarraj.
IGP P. Sundarraj stated that the “Poona Margom” initiative ensures security, dignity, and rehabilitation for those who give up violence. He also appealed to remaining Maoist cadres to abandon armed struggle and take advantage of the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.
The Chhattisgarh government has committed to providing financial assistance, vocational training, housing, and education to surrendered cadres to ensure their long-term reintegration into society.
