Narayanpur: Sixteen Naxalites, including seven women, surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district on Wednesday, with nine of them carrying a combined bounty of Rs 48 lakh, according to senior police officials. The cadres turned themselves in, citing disappointment with the "hollow" and "inhuman" Maoist ideology, atrocities on innocent tribals, and increasing pressure from security forces, said Narayanpur Superintendent of Police Robinson Guria.

Among those surrendered, Podiya Markam alias Ratan (34), deputy commander of military platoon no. 1, Manoj Dugga, Sumitra alias Sunny Kursam, Vanila Farsa—all military company members—and Gawade alias Diwakar, a divisional committee member, each had an Rs 8 lakh reward. Others, such as Budhu alias Kamlesh Usendi, an area committee member, had a Rs 5 lakh bounty, while Madda Kunjam, Ravi alias Gopal Vadde, and Kare Korram each carried a Rs 1 lakh reward. The rest were lower-rung members.

During interrogation, the surrendered Maoists revealed that top Maoist leaders misled tribals with false promises of protecting water, forest, land, equality, and justice, while exploiting and enslaving them. Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range, Sundarraj P, said the surrenders indicate winds of change in Bastar, with disillusioned youth choosing peace, education, and development. The continued efforts of security forces, growing public support, and rehabilitation policies have contributed to this trend. Over the past 20 months, 1,837 Maoists have surrendered in the Bastar Range, comprising seven districts, including Narayanpur. This recent surrender is expected to encourage more Maoists to lay down arms and reintegrate into society.

With inputs from PTI