Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), April 7: In a major victory for anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, 26 Maoists—three of whom had bounties on their heads—surrendered before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials in Dantewada on Monday.
The surrenders occurred at the District Reserve Guard (DRG) headquarters as part of the state's ongoing ‘Lon Varratu’ (Come Home) campaign, designed to help former extremists reintegrate into society. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the district police, CRPF, and Chhattisgarh’s special rehabilitation program.
Under the new rehabilitation policy, each surrendered Maoist will receive Rs 50,000 as immediate assistance, along with access to various benefits, including skill development training and agricultural land.
Since its launch, the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign has seen impressive results, with 953 Maoists—including 224 with cash rewards—having surrendered so far.
Highlighting the program’s success, Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced an additional incentive during a public meeting in Dantewada. According to Shah, villages that achieve the complete surrender of all Naxalites will be declared "Naxal-free" and awarded a Rs 1 crore development fund.
“Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Vijay Sharma have announced that villages where every Naxalite surrenders will be declared Naxal-free, with Rs 1 crore allocated for development,” Shah stated.
Reassuring the surrendered Maoists, Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to their rehabilitation: “If you choose to join the mainstream, the Government of India and the Chhattisgarh Government will ensure your full protection.”
