"12 naxals with total bounty of over Rs 1 crore surrendered today": Maharashtra CM Fadnavis

Gadchiroli (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that around 12 naxals, having a total bounty of over Rs one crore, surrendered before him in Gadhchiroli.
Speaking with the media, CM Fadnavis urged the Naxals to surrender, adding that if they don't, then action will be taken against them.
"Today, around 12 naxals with a total bounty of over Rs 1 crore surrendered before me here. This is a big blow to Naxalism. The Naxals want to join the mainstream now. I believe this is a significant incident. There are very few Naxals left in the state today. I urge them to surrender. If they do not surrender, then action will be taken against them," the Maharashtra CM said.
According to a press note from the Office of the Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli, a total of 704 active Maoists till date have surrendered before the Gadchiroli Police. It mentioned the 12 Maoists who surrendered today.
"Today, twelve Senior Maoist Cadre Sapana (55), Ramdas (55), Shivlal (60), Pushpa (55), Kosa Kumma Gota (Commander of Kutul LOS) aged 35 years, Durgi (35), Ajay (27), Sangita (40), Savita (35), Anju (25), Aruna (30) and Dilip (28) have surrendered before the Chief Minister," the release stated.
The release also mentioned the rewards announced by the Centre and Maharashtra government for the surrendered Naxals.
"After surrender, Sapana, Ramdas, Shivlal, and Pushpa will receive Rs 8.5 Lakhs as reward declared by the Central & Maharashtra Government for rehabilitation," the release stated.
Kosa Kumma Gota will receive Rs. 5.5 Lakhs, Durgi and Ajay receive Rs 05 Lakhs, while Sangita, Savita, Anju and Aruna will receive Rs 4.5 lakhs. Dilip will receive Rs 5 lakhs as reward for rehabilitation.
"State government has announced a reward of Rs. 1.5 lakhs as additional assistance to Maoist members who are husband and wife for their surrender. (Shivlal Pada and his wife Pushpa)," the release said.
Devendra Fadnavis also attended the mass wedding ceremony of surrendered Naxalites in Gadchiroli.
Speaking on this, he said, "13 couples who were earlier naxals got married in a mass wedding ceremony today. They not only surrendered but also joined the mainstream."
Earlier today, CM Fadnavis visited the Kawande Police Outpost on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border in the Gadchiroli district.
This outpost was set up by the Maharashtra Police in March this year.
Speaking with ANI, CM Fadnavis highlighted that earlier, even the administration could not reach here, but the Maharashtra Police opened an outpost here, thus providing security to the people here.
"Kawande is like the first village at the border or the village that comes first after entry from Chhattisgarh. There is the Abujhmarh forest nearby, and even the administration could not reach here. But our Police opened an outpost here. Due to this outpost, not just Police dominance, but we also filled a security vacuum. We also set up a 4G tower here. Police provided security, and we provide government schemes through this outpost. So, this has built confidence among people," CM Fadnavis asserted.
Speaking on the deadline to eliminate naxalism, the Maharashtra CM emphasised that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged that the country will be Naxalism-free by March 2026. (ANI)