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Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In fight against Maoists, Bastar police try a new approach – reaching out to their families
Holding village outreach programmes, reaching out to existing Maoist cadres through their families and persuading them to lay down their arms – that's what the Bastar Police plans to do with its new initiative 'Poona Margham'. Translated as 'New Path', the outreach comes as part of the state government's anti-insurgency push to meet the central government's March 2026 push against the Maoist movement. It also comes months after the state government introduced the 'Naxal Surrender and Victim Rehabilitation Policy-2025'. According to the police, the campaign aims at having security forces – especially surrendered Maoists recruited into the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Bastar Fighters – reach out to families of existing cadres and persuade them to 'shun violence and join the mainstream'. 'Poona Margham is an initiative in which we will emphasise on reaching out to Maoists and facilitate their surrender and reintegration into society,' Inspector General of Police for Bastar Range Sundarraj P told The Indian Express. 'We will be conducting various community outreach programmes, meeting the family of the existing Maoist cadres and village elders to highlight the need for peace for the region's inclusive development.' The initiative also promises skill development training, promoting self-employment and livelihood opportunities and providing psychological counselling and social reintegration to surrendered Maoists. Other measures under the campaign include continuing outreach measures such as medical camps, holding sporting activities and cultural reintegration programmes. 'The campaign is to make the cadres realise that the Maoist outfit is breathing its last and that, now, they are left with only one option — shun violence and join mainstream. They are urged to understand their responsibilities toward their families, society, and nation, and adopt the path of peace, harmony, and rehabilitation,' Sundarraj P said. Counter-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh have intensified significantly since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state in December 2023. Since then, over 400 Maoists have been killed in the state – 221 in this year alone. Meanwhile, 38 security personnel and 97 civilians have also been killed in Naxal violence during the same period.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
6 Naxals killed in Narayanpur encounter
Narayanpur: Six Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh on Friday, police said. A gunfight broke out in the afternoon in the forest of Abujhmad region when joint teams of security forces were out on an anti-Naxal operation following inputs about the presence of ultras, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P told PTI. "Multiple exchanges of fire between the security forces and Maoists occurred since the afternoon. So far, the bodies of six Maoists have been recovered from the encounter site along with AK-47/SLR rifles, other weapons, explosive material and daily use items," he said.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Encounter in Chhattisgarh's Abujhmad, 6 Maoists killed
Six Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Abujhmad area of Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Friday, authorities said. This takes the total number of Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh to 221 including 204 in Bastar region, this year so far, which is more than last year when 219 Maoists were killed in the state including 217 in Bastar region. The encounter broke out in the afternoon in an undisclosed location in Abujhmad. Based on intelligence inputs, joint teams of security forces launched a search operation. During the operation, intermittent encounters between the security forces and Maoists took place. 'So far, six bodies have been recovered. Weapons including AK 47 rifle and SLR rifle recovered so far. The dead Maoists are being identified,' said Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P. 'As the operation is still in progress, further details cannot be shared at this moment in order to ensure the safety of the personnel involved,' he added. In June this year Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Chhattisgarh to review the anti-maoist operations to ensure Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is eradicated from India by March 2026. In his public speech, Shah had said, 'I want to say this to the people of Chhattisgarh before I go… Every year during the rainy season, Naxals used to get some rest. But this time, we will not allow them to sleep even during the rains, and will move forward to achieve our March 2026 goal.'
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Six Naxalites killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur
NARAYANPUR: Six Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh on Friday, police said. A gunfight broke out in the afternoon in the forest of Abujhmad region when joint teams of security forces were out on an anti-Naxal operation following inputs about the presence of ultras, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P told PTI. "Multiple exchanges of fire between the security forces and Maoists occurred since the afternoon. So far, the bodies of six Maoists have been recovered from the encounter site along with AK-47/SLR rifles, other weapons, explosive material and daily use items," he said. The operation is still underway, the IG added. Hailing security forces, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, his government has been marching ahead firmly towards fulfilling the resolve of making the country completely Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. "In a major operation by security forces, six Naxalites have been neutralised so far in Abujhmad of Narayanpur district. I congratulate all the brave jawans of the security forces involved in the operation and salute their indomitable courage," he said in a statement.
Hans India
09-07-2025
- Hans India
Over 1,000 Maoists surrender under 'Lon Varratu' drive as 12 more Maoists lay down arms in Chhatisgarh's Dantewada
Dantewada: In a landmark achievement for Chhattisgarh's counter-insurgency and rehabilitation efforts, the Dantewada police have claimed that more than 1,000 Maoists have surrendered under the state's flagship 'Lon Varratu' (Come Back Home) campaign, officials said. Launched in June 2020, the initiative has now crossed a historic milestone, with 1,005 former insurgents laying down arms and rejoining mainstream society, officials added. Of the 1,005 who have surrendered so far, 813 are men and 192 are women. As many as 249 of the Maoists who surrendered were carrying cash rewards totalling nearly Rs 5 crore. In a joint press conference organised here, Bastar range Inspector General of Police Sundarraj P, Deputy Inspector General of Police Kamal Lochan Kashyap, CRPF Dantewada Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Rakesh Choudhary and Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai told that on July 9, 12 more Maoists, including nine with bounties on their heads, surrendered before senior police and CRPF officials in Dantewada. Among them were high-ranking operatives such as a divisional committee member from West Bastar, a medical team associate, and a section commander from the Maad division. One Maoist couple was also among those who surrendered. The campaign, which began with the aim of encouraging disillusioned Maoists to abandon violence and reintegrate into civil life, has seen participation from insurgents across Dantewada and neighbouring districts like Sukma, Bijapur, and Narayanpur. Authorities attribute the success of the campaign to a combination of sustained security operations, community outreach, and the state's comprehensive rehabilitation policy. Surrendered Maoists are offered Rs 50,000 in immediate financial aid, along with access to skill development programmes, agricultural land, housing, and healthcare. Police officials say the campaign has struck an emotional chord with many cadres, who have grown disillusioned with the Maoist ideology, internal exploitation, and the hardships of jungle life. The initiative has also been bolstered by strategic pressure from security forces and increasing awareness among tribal communities about the benefits of peace and development. The Dantewada police, along with CRPF battalions and Intelligence units, have played a pivotal role in facilitating these surrenders. Officials emphasised that the campaign will continue, offering a dignified path back to society for those willing to renounce violence. The 'Lon Varratu' campaign stands as a testament to the power of dialogue, trust-building, and inclusive governance in addressing long-standing insurgencies.
