In one of the largest surrenders in recent years, 37 Maoists, including 12 women, laid down their arms in Chhattisgarh&rsquo;s Dantewada under the Lon Varratu and Poona Margem (Revival through Rehabilitation) programme, officials said on Sunday.
Of the 37 cadres, 27 carried rewards totaling Rs 65 lakh. They cited complete faith in the state government&rsquo;s rehabilitation policy as the reason for abandoning violence and returning to the mainstream.
The initiative, led by senior Chhattisgarh Police and CRPF officers, has gained traction among cadres tired of life in the forests. Authorities stressed the government&rsquo;s continued commitment to peace, rehabilitation, and inclusive development in the Bastar region.
Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj Pattilingam, described the Poona Margem and Lon Varratu programmes as &ldquo;transformative initiatives promoting lasting peace, dignity, and overall progress.&rdquo;
The surrender took place at the DRG office in Dantewada, in the presence of senior police and CRPF officials. The surrendered Maoists will receive Rs 50,000 each under the rehabilitation policy, along with skill development training and agricultural land support from the government.
Authorities recovered a substantial cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, marking a significant setback for the Maoist network. Many of the surrendered individuals had been operating in forests for years, including as bodyguards and squad members of senior commanders.
Superintendent of Police Dantewada, Gaurav Rai, said, &ldquo;Our persistent efforts and community support have encouraged these cadres to surrender. Life in the forests has become difficult, and local villagers are no longer backing them.&rdquo;
Over the past 20 months, more than 508 Maoists, including 165 with bounties, have surrendered in Dantewada, signaling a steady decline in Maoist influence in the district. Sunday&rsquo;s surrender represents another key step toward a violence-free Bastar. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

37 Maoists, 12 Women, Surrender in Dantewada

Chhattisgarh’s Poona Margem programme sees largest Bastar surrender, weapons recovered

37 Maoists, 12 Women, Surrender in Dantewada

Chhattisgarh’s Poona Margem programme sees largest Bastar surrender, weapons recovered

November 30, 2025 | 16:59 IST