Dantewada, November 30: In a significant development, 37 Maoists, including 12 women and 27 individuals with a combined reward of Rs 65 lakh, surrendered in Dantewada under the state’s Margem(Revival through Rehabilitation) programme. The Maoists expressed their faith in the Chhattisgarh Government’s rehabilitation policy as the reason for abandoning violence and joining the mainstream.

The surrender is seen as a major success of the Poona Margeminitiative, which has been running under the supervision of Chhattisgarh Police and CRPF, offering a peaceful alternative to cadres weary of jungle life. The program has gained considerable acceptance, with authorities including the state and central forces reaffirming their commitment to peace and development in the region.

The surrendered Maoists will receive Rs 50,000 in assistance and additional support, like skill development and agricultural land. The authorities also recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives, marking a significant blow to the Maoist organization in Bastar.

This surrender is part of a broader trend, with over 500 Maoists, including 165 with rewards, having joined the mainstream in the past 20 months, reinforcing efforts toward a peaceful, violence-free Bastar.