26 Maoists, 13 with ₹65 lakh bounty, surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma

The cadres, including seven women, laid down arms before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers

Updated on: Jan 7, 2026, 14:28:25 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Raipur: At least 26 Maoists, 13 of them carrying a collective bounty of ₹65 lakh, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Wednesday, police said.

Among them, Lali alias Muchaki Aayte Lakhmu (35), a company party committee member, carried a reward of ₹10 lakh. (Representative photo)

The cadres, including seven women, laid down arms before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers under the state’s “Poona Margem” (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) initiative, Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Kiran Chavan said.

The surrendered Maoists were active in the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) battalion, South Bastar division, Maad division, and the Andhra–Odisha Border (AOB) division, and were involved in several incidents of violence in Abujhmad, Sukma, and adjoining areas of Odisha, he said.

Among them, Lali alias Muchaki Aayte Lakhmu (35), a company party committee member, carried a reward of ₹10 lakh. She was allegedly involved in multiple major incidents, including a 2017 IED blast on the Koraput road in Odisha that killed 14 security personnel.

According to the police, the cadres said they were influenced by sustained security operations as well as the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.

Four other key Maoists—Hemla Lakhma (41), Aasmita alias Kamlu Sanni (20), Rambati alias Padam Jogi (21), and Sundam Pale (20)—each carried a bounty of ₹8 lakh. Lakhma was allegedly involved in the 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma in which 17 security personnel were killed.

Among the remaining surrendered Maoists, three carried rewards of ₹5 lakh each, one ₹3 lakh, one ₹2 lakh, and three carried bounties of ₹1 lakh each, police said.

All the surrendered Maoists were provided immediate assistance of ₹50,000 each and will be rehabilitated further as per the government’s policy.

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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