13 Maoists surrender in Chhattisgarh under Lon Varratu campaign

A state official claimed that the 'Lon Varratu' initiative aims to link surrendered cadres to some livelihood opportunities to help them earn a decent living and it has yielded very positive results.

Published on: Feb 12, 2021, 08:12:33 IST

By Ritesh Mishra | Edited by Abhinav Sahay, Raipur

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Thirteen suspected Maoists, including three with cash reward of ₹1 lakh each on their heads, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district in Bastar region under the state government’s ‘Lon Varratu’ initiative, taking the total number of surrendered Maoists since the beginning of the programme in June 2020 to 310, police said on Thursday.

Three of the thirteen suspected Maoists were carrying reward on their heads. (FIle Photo)

The Maoists laid down their arms claiming they were disappointed with the ultras' 'hollow' ideology, police claimed.

‘Lon Varratu’ in local Gondi language means Return Home. Maoists in about 50 hypersensitive villages are being encouraged to surrender under this programme. “The focus of Lon Varratu is to link surrendered cadres to some livelihood opportunities to help them earn a decent living and it has yielded very positive results. The district administration has provided them with tractors, agricultural equipment, construction work, benefits from veterinary and allied departments,” said a senior state official, who didn't wish to be named.

Superintendent of Police, Dantewada, Abhishek Pallav three of the surrendered Maoists--Lakhma Midiyami, a Janmilitia commander, Bheema alias Kamlu Karma, president of the Maoist DKAMS (Dandakaranya Kisan Adivasi Mazdur Sangh) and Jogi Midiyami-- had rewards on their heads.

Also Read: 2 CRPF jawans injured in gun-battle with Maoists in Jharkhand

Dantewada police claimed that one Mangal Ram Sodhi, who was allegedly involved in an attack on the house of Congress leader Awdhesh Gautam also surrendered on Wednesday.

However, tribal leaders have questioned the ‘Lon Varratu’ campaign in the past and claimed.

“Who has given rights to the police to declare a person as a Maoist? Have they submitted the list of Maoists to a court? Farmers in their village are declared as Maoist under this campaign,” Sori had earlier said about the campaign.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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