Over 2,700 Maoists have surrendered since 2024
In a major breakthrough in India’s anti-Maoist operations, 108 Maoists surrendered simultaneously in Bastar on Wednesday, marking one of the largest mass surrenders in recent years.
Officials said the surrendered cadres, many linked to the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC), carried a combined government bounty of nearly ₹3.95 crore. The development comes just days before the March 31, 2026 deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to eliminate Maoist insurgency from the country.
Security forces also recovered what officials described as the largest Maoist dump discovered in recent times, based on information provided by the surrendered cadres.
Cash, gold and weapons worth crores recovered
During the operation, security forces recovered ₹3.61 crore in cash and nearly one kilogram of gold worth around ₹1.64 crore, along with a large stockpile of weapons hidden in forest areas.
The seized arsenal included 101 modern and improvised firearms, such as:
- 7 AK-47 rifles
- 10 INSAS rifles
- 1 carbine
- 5 SLRs
- 4 light machine guns
- 20 .303 rifles
- 25 twelve-bore guns
- 11 BGL launchers
- 1 mortar
- 3 .315-bore rifles
- 13 Bharmar guns
- 1 Mega BGL launcher
Officials said it is the first time such a large amount of cash and gold has been recovered during an anti-Maoist operation in the country.
Negotiations led to surrender and recovery
According to police officials, the surrender process began after several Maoist cadres initiated contact with security forces and expressed willingness to lay down arms.
During the negotiations, they revealed the locations of multiple hidden Maoist dumps across forested areas, enabling security forces to recover the large cache of cash, gold and weapons. Authorities are expected to formally present the seized materials during the surrender ceremony.
Over 2,700 Maoists surrendered since 2024
Addressing a press conference at Shaurya Bhavan, Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam said the development reflects the growing impact of the state’s Poona Margem campaign, aimed at dismantling Maoist networks in Bastar.
According to Gautam, 2,714 Maoists have surrendered since January 1, 2024, indicating a steady weakening of the insurgent movement in the region.
Among those who surrendered were several key Maoist leaders, including:
- DVCM Rahul Telam
- Pandru Kowasi
- Jhitru Oyam (West Bastar Division)
- DVCM Ramdhar alias Biru (East Bastar Division Committee)
- DVCM Mallesh (North Bastar Division Committee)
- CYPC Commander Muchaki from PLGA Battalion No. 1
- DVCM Kosa Mandavi from the Andhra-Odisha Border region
Government says Bastar moving towards peace
Vishnu Deo Sai, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, described the mass surrender as a strong indication that Bastar is moving towards peace and stability.
He credited the development to the state’s rehabilitation policy and sustained security operations.
The Chief Minister said the government remains committed to eliminating Maoist insurgency under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, following the strategy of “security, development and trust.”
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