Twelve Naxals Surrender in Bastar, Cite ‘Empty’ Ideology as Reason

The police said that it’s the first time that cadres from the Bastanar region have laid down their arms.

CRPF manning a Naxal-affected area. (Photo Courtesy: YouTube screengrab/The Times of India)

As many as 12 Naxals, including two women, surrendered on Monday in Chhattisgarh’s insurgency-hit Bastar district citing disappointment with the “empty” ideology of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), police said.

The rebels, most of them lower rung members belonging to East Bastar division of the banned CPI (Maoist), turned themselves in before senior police and administration officials at Jagdalpur district headquarters, Bastar Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Vijay Pandey told PTI.

Of those who surrendered, Chalki, active as head of Barsoor Janatana Sarkar squad, and Baldev Gawde, a Jan militia commander in Bastanar region, were key cadres of the area, the ASP said.

Besides, Moti, alias Mamta, also played an important role as commander of Chetna Natya Manch (CNM) – a cultural wing of the Maoists, in Bastanar area, he said.

The other rebels were working for different lower rank squads of the banned outfit.

They all were active in Barsoor Area Committee under East Bastar Division of Maoists and involved in the incidents of damaging roads and railway tracks, collecting information and inputs related to security forces and thrashing villagers, he said.

It is for the first time that cadres from Dakapara area of Bastanar local organisation squad in Barsoor have laid down their arms before police. It clearly indicates that the rebels have lost their ground in this region.

Vijay Pandey, Additional Superintendent of Police, Bastar

In their statements, they all expressed disappointment with the empty ideology of the outlawed Naxal movement and violence.

Moreover, they were also impressed with the provisions of surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state government which compelled them to join the mainstream, the ASP said.

An encouragement amount of Rs 10,000 each was given to the ultras who surrendered. They will be further ensured facilities as per the surrender policy, he added.

Notably, a total of 362 Naxals and their supporters have surrendered in Bastar district since December last year.

(With inputs from PTI.)