"Backbone of Naxalism broken," says Chhattisgarh CM after surrender of 21 Maoist cadres

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], October 26 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said that the "backbone of Naxalism is broken" after 21 Maoist cadres, including 13 women, surrendered in the Kanker district.
Calling it a success of the 'Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy', the Chief Minister said that the "misled" youth is beginning to choose the path of development.
In an X post, CM Sai wrote, "The end of the anti-people Maoist ideology through 'Puna Margem,' Establishment of peace in Bastar. Today, in Kanker district, under the 'Puna Margem - From Rehabilitation to Revival' initiative, 21 Naxalites have abandoned the path of violence and surrendered. This is a meaningful testament to the success of our 'Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy - 2025' and the 'Niyad Nella Nar Scheme,' which is fostering a new wave of trust and transformation in Naxal-affected areas."
CM Sai reiterated the government's aim to make India Naxal-free by March 31, 2026.
"The backbone of Naxalism in the Bastar region has been broken, and Bastar is rapidly moving toward peace and development. Our double-engine government is resolute in making the country Naxal-free by March 31, 2026," the X post read.
He gave assurance for the rehabilitation of the surrendered Naxalites.
"Youth misled by the false ideology of Maoism are now beginning to understand that the path of development, not guns, is the true choice for the future. We are fully committed to the rehabilitation and revival of these surrendered Naxalites," he wrote.
"Under the guidance of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and the leadership of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah Ji, our government has won the trust of the people of Bastar. As a result, Maoist organisations are continuously weakening, and large numbers of them are abandoning the path of violence," CM Sai said.
Deputy CM Vijay Sharma also welcomed the move, saying that the surrendered Maoists "understood the mood" of the people of Bastar.
Sharma told ANI, "People of Bastar want to get rid of red terror, and these people have understood the mood of the people of Bastar. They will be given a red carpet welcome. North Bastar and West Bastar have nearly calmed down. Those who are active in South Bastar, I request them to come back into the mainstream and understand the feelings of the people of Bastar."
Earlier today, a total of 21 Maoist cadres, including 13 women, surrendered with 18 weapons in the Kanker district on Sunday, Bastar Inspector General P Sundarraj said.
The cadres were part of the Kuemari/Kiskodo Area Committee of Keshkal Division (North Sub Zonal Bureau), he said.
According to the senior police official, four Division Committee Members, including Division Committee Secretary Mukesh, nine Area Committee Members and eight party members are among the 21 cadres who have joined the mainstream.
They surrendered three AK-47 Rifles, four SLR Rifles, two INSAS Rifles, and six.303 Rifles, two Single Shot Rifles and one BGL weapon, IG Bastar Sundarraj said.
He called it a "decisive step" in efforts to curb left-wing extremism in the state and said that the rehabilitation and reintegration process for the surrendered cadres is underway.
He said, "Another decisive step was achieved today in Kanker District as 21 more cadres voluntarily returned to the mainstream. This is a significant milestone in our efforts to curb left-wing extremist influence, build community trust, and promote peace and development in Bastar."
"The rehabilitation and reintegration process for these 21 cadres is underway, reaffirming our commitment to a safer, inclusive, and progressive society. We once again urge the remaining Maoist cadres in the region to choose the path of peace and return to society, or be prepared to face the consequences," he added.
This comes in the backdrop of a landmark development in Chhattisgarh's battle against Left Wing Extremism (LWE), where 208 Naxalites surrendered at an event organised in Bastar's Jagdalpur on October 17, holding the Indian Constitution as they were welcomed back into the mainstream. (ANI)