Raipur, March 31: In a significant development, 35 Naxalites surrendered to security forces across five districts in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Tuesday, just hours before the Centre’s deadline to eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE) expired.

Among those surrendering, 25 Maoist cadres, including 12 women, were affiliated with the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC). They laid down their arms in Bijapur district, participating in the police's 'Poona Margem' initiative, which focuses on rehabilitation and social reintegration.

The group of 25 surrendered individuals had a combined reward amounting to Rs 1.47 crore, according to Bastar Range Inspector General of Police, Sundarraj Pattlingam.