Rehabilitation Policy: 103 Maoists, including 20 women, surrender in Chhattisgarh

October 3, 2025 by News Desk

In a major development in Chhattisgarh, 103 Maoists, including 23 women, surrendered in the Bijapur district of the Bastar division.

Among them, 49 cadres carried bounties totaling over ₹1.06 crore, reflecting their prominence within the Maoist ranks.

Officials said the surrendered cadres cited disillusionment with Maoist ideology and a desire for a peaceful life. Each individual received immediate financial assistance of ₹50,000 under the state’s Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, aimed at facilitating reintegration into mainstream society.

Since December 2023, approximately 1,476 Maoists have surrendered in the state, including senior cadres and women members of militia and cultural wings. Recent instances also include 29 cadres in Narayanpur and 16–33 in Sukma, many carrying bounties ranging from several lakhs to crores.

The surrenders have been influenced by the Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender, Victim Relief & Rehabilitation Policy‑2025, introduced by the state government in March 2025 under the leadership of the Chief Minister.

The policy provides immediate cash assistance, a monthly stipend for three years, incentives for surrendering with weapons, land or housing benefits, vocational training, free food and shelter, and educational support for children of surrendered cadres.

Fast-tracked legal clearances and easing of charges are available for those demonstrating good conduct.

For victims of Maoist violence, the policy guarantees compensation, housing support, scholarships for education, and employment subsidies. Implementation is overseen by district-level Rehabilitation Committees, with benefits delivered within 120 days of surrender.

Special provisions include mass-surrender incentives, development grants for “Maoist-free” villages, and targeted programs for women cadres.

Authorities say the wave of surrenders, including the recent mass surrender in Bijapur, signals a potential shift in insurgency dynamics, though isolated incidents of violence continue to underscore the challenges in stabilizing the region.