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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerlapenda declared Maoist-free with surrender of 16 Maoists in Sukma dist
Raipur: The small, remote and once insurgency-hit Kerlapenda village of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh has been officially declared Maoist-free with the surrender of 9 Maoists among the 16 that surrendered in Sukma, making it the second village in both state and the district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The village received this status under the govt's "Naxal Ilvad Panchayat Yojana". The development comes after 16 Maoists with nine from Kerlapenda village, including one rewarded cadre with Rs 2 lakh, decided to give up on violence. The others were members of local Maoist militia groups. Sukma superintendent of police Kiran Chavan confirmed to TOI, "Out of the 16 Maoists who surrendered, nine belonged to Kerlapenda, including one reward-carrying hardcore cadre. With this, the village is now completely free from Maoist presence." he said. Kerlapenda is located about 90 kilometers from the district headquarters, in the interiors of Chintalnar, which was once among the worst Maoist-affected regions, the SP said, adding that only last year, a security camp was established deep inside Chintalnar to reach Kerlapenda, while a Ram Temple was also inaugurated, signalling a return to civil life in the region and making it more accessible. The first village to be declared Maoist-free was Badesetti in Sukma in April, which has recently been sanctioned with Rs 1 crore for development works. The surrender took place under the newly framed Chhattisgarh Naxalite Surrender and Victim Rehabilitation Policy – 2025, which promises incentives and developmental funds for villages that free themselves from Maoist influence. A proposal for Rs 1 crore in development aid for Kerlapenda is now being sent to the state govt. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The surrender was the result of combined efforts by the District Police, DRG (District Reserve Guard), CRPF units 218 and 226, and the local intelligence network, officials said. There are two hardcore members of the PLGA battalion and among 16 surrendered, six carried reward of Rs 25 lakh. The surrender took place at the Sukma district police headquarters, in presence of SP Kiran Chavan, additional SP (Naxal Ops) Umesh Prasad Gupta, and senior officers from the CRPF's 218 and 226 battalions. Among the surrendered, the significant ones include Rita alias Dodi Sukki, 36-year-old female cadre from the CRC Regional Company No. 2, carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh, Rahul Punem, an 18-year-old PLGA battalion cadre from Company 2, Platoon 2, also with a reward of Rs 8 lakh; Lekam Lakhma, a 28-year-old from the South Bastar Division, with a reward of Rs 3 lakh and three others—Sodi Chula, Telam Kosa, and Dodi Hurra—each with a bounty of Rs 2 lakh.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
16 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district
RAIPUR: Sixteen Maoist cadres, including two active members of Peoples' Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) company, surrendered in Sukma district, about 450 km south of Raipur on Monday. According to the police, six of the surrendered rebels were carrying a collective reward of Rs 25 lakh. With this, as many as 571 Maoists have surrendered so far in 2025 in Chhattisgarh's Bastar. Interestingly, nine out of the 16 cadres belonging to Kerlapenda village panchayat falling under the Chintalnar police station limits. Police sources said these villagers were notably influenced by the Chhattisgarh government's latest initiative that incentivises Maoist-free panchayats. Under the scheme, if any panchayat in the Naxal-affected area becomes Maoist-free, it will become entitled to get Rs 1 crore grant for local development works. According to the Sukma district police chief, all 16 cadres, including a woman cadre, surrendered before senior police and CRPF officials expressing their frustration with the 'hollow and anti-people' ideology of the left-wing extremists. Among the notable names was Rita alias Dodi Sukki, an active member of the Central Regional Committee's PLGA company no. 2, and Rahul Punem, a party member in PLGA battalion no. 1. Both carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, the SP said. The district police chief further noted that many of the surrendered rebels were inspired by the state's Niyad Nellanar (Your Own Good Village) campaign, which not only promotes development in remote and conflict-hit areas but also strengthens the state's broader surrender and rehabilitation policy. While part of the state's formal Maoist Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy-2025, the Niyad Nellanar scheme has introduced a more targeted approach, leveraging local aspirations and infrastructure support to win over disillusioned Maoists. In several instances, the Chhattisgarh Police and central paramilitary forces have collaborated to engage with cadres and even senior Maoist leaders, urging them to abandon violence and rejoin mainstream society.
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
16 Naxals surrender in Chhattisgarh citing 'inhumane' Maoist ideology
Sixteen Naxalites, including six carrying a collective cash reward of Rs 25 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday, police them, nine cadres belonged to Kerlapenda village panchayat under Chintalanar police station this surrender, the village has become Naxalite-free, making it eligible for development projects of Rs 1 crore as per a new scheme of the state government, an official All 16 cadres, including a woman, turned themselves in before senior police and CRPF officials, here citing disappointment with the "hollow" and "inhuman" Maoist ideology and atrocities by ultras on local tribals, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan cadres were also impressed by the Chhattisgarh government's 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme, aimed at facilitating development works in remote villages, and the state's new surrender and rehabilitation policy, he those who surrendered, Rita alias Dodi Sukki (36), a woman who was active as member of the central regional committee (CRC) company number 2 of Maoists, and Rahul Punem (18), a party member within PLGA battalion no. 1 of Maoists, carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each, he Lekam Lakhma (28) carried a bounty of Rs 3 lakh, while three more cadres carried a reward of Rs 2 lakh each, the official of the surrendered cadres, nine belonged to the Kerlapenda village their surrender, the place has become Naxal-free, the official per the Elvad Panchayat Yojna of the state government, the village will be provided an incentive of Rs 1 crore for development works, he scheme has been introduced under the new Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation provides for a sanction of development works of Rs 1 crore for those village panchayats which facilitate in the surrender of Naxalites active in their area and to pass a resolution declaring them as is the second such village panchayat in the district to get rid of the Naxal menace after the state government recently introduced the April, Badesatti was declared Naxal-free after all 11 lower-rung Naxalites from there surrendered before the Naxalites who surrendered were provided an assistance of Rs 50,000 each, and will be further rehabilitated as per the government's policy, the SP year, 792 Naxalites surrendered in the state's Bastar region, which comprises seven districts including Reel
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
16 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh; Kerlapenda village becomes Maoist-free, say police
Sixteen Maoists, including six carrying a collective cash reward of ₹25 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday (June 2, 2025), police said. Of them, nine cadres belonged to Kerlapenda village panchayat under Chintalanar police station limits. With this surrender, the village has become Maoist-free, making it eligible for development projects of ₹1 crore as per a new scheme of the state government, an official said. All 16 cadres, including a woman, turned themselves in before senior police and CRPF officials, here citing disappointment with the "hollow" and "inhuman" Maoist ideology and atrocities by ultras on local tribals, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan said. The cadres were also impressed by the Chhattisgarh government's 'Niyad Nellanar' (your good village) scheme, aimed at facilitating development works in remote villages, and the state's new surrender and rehabilitation policy, he said. Among those who surrendered, Rita alias Dodi Sukki (36), a woman who was active as member of the central regional committee (CRC) company number 2 of Maoists, and Rahul Punem (18), a party member within PLGA battalion no. 1 of Maoists, carried a reward of ₹8 lakh each, he said. Besides, Lekam Lakhma (28) carried a bounty of ₹3 lakh, while three more cadres carried a reward of ₹2 lakh each, the official said. Out of the surrendered cadres, nine belonged to the Kerlapenda village panchayat. With their surrender, the place has become Maoist-free, the official said. As per the Elvad Panchayat Yojna of the state government, the village will be provided an incentive of ₹1 crore for development works, he said. The scheme has been introduced under the new Chhattisgarh Maoist Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy-2025. It provides for a sanction of development works of ₹1 crore for those village panchayats which facilitate in the surrender of Maoists active in their area and to pass a resolution declaring them as Maoist-free. This is the second such village panchayat in the district to get rid of the Maoist menace after the state government recently introduced the scheme. In April, Badesatti was declared Maoist-free after all 11 lower-rung Naxalites from there surrendered before police. All the Maoists who surrendered were provided an assistance of ₹50,000 each, and will be further rehabilitated as per the government's policy, the SP said. Last year, 792 Maoists surrendered in the state's Bastar region, which comprises seven districts including Sukma.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
2 PLGA cadres among 16 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh's Sukma
RAIPUR: Sixteen Maoists including two hardcore members of the PLGA battalion, surrendered in insurgency-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Monday. Among the surrendered, six Maoists carried a cumulative reward of Rs 25 lakh, with a woman and a young male cadre each having a bounty of Rs 8 lakh on their heads. The surrender took place at the Sukma district police headquarters, in presence of Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, Additional SP (Naxal Ops) Umesh Prasad Gupta, and senior officers from the CRPF's 218 and 226 battalions. Among the surrendered, the significant ones include Rita alias Dodi Sukki, 36-year-old female cadre from the CRC Regional Company No. 2, carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh, Rahul Punem, an 18-year-old PLGA battalion cadre from Company 2, Platoon 2, also with a reward of Rs 8 lakh, Lekam Lakhma, a 28-year-old from the South Bastar Division, with a reward of Rs 3 lakh and three others—Sodi Chula, Telam Kosa, and Dodi Hurra—each carried a bounty of Rs 2 lakh. The remaining 10 individuals held various support and militia roles within the Maoist organization, including in village-level sangham units, militia wings, and area committees. Officials attribute the mass surrender to the growing impact of the Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy 2025 and the state government's 'Niyad Nellanar' initiative aimed at integrating remote tribal populations into mainstream development. Security sources revealed that continuous establishment of new police camps in deep interior areas and increasing pressure on Maoist networks have played a critical role in weakening insurgent morale. Besides, disillusionment with the Maoist ideology, internal discrimination, and atrocities against local tribal populations by outside cadres have further alienated the rank-and-file members. Under the 2025 policy, each surrendered Naxal will receive a Rs 50,000 incentive along with additional support for rehabilitation, including livelihood opportunities and reintegration assistance. The operation was made possible through close coordination between the District Police, Naxal Cell Intelligence Unit, Range Field Team (RFT) of Konta, and CRPF units. Senior officers acknowledged the crucial role played by ground-level intelligence and community engagement in encouraging the surrenders. "We welcome them back into society and will ensure their complete rehabilitation,' said SP Kiran Chavan, underlining the government's commitment to sustainable peace in the region.
