Chhattisgarh: 51 Maoists with ₹1.61 crore bounty surrender in Sukma, Bijapur

The Maoists cited disillusionment with the ideology and were influenced by the state’s surrender and rehabilitation policy

Updated on: Feb 7, 2026, 22:13:42 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Bastar: More than 50 Maoists carrying a collective bounty of ₹1.61 crore surrendered before the police in Sukma and Bijapur districts of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar division on Saturday, a senior police officer said.

More than 50 Maoists carrying a collective bounty of ₹1.61 crore surrendered before the police in Sukma and Bijapur

The surrender coincided with the inauguration of the Bastar Pandum 2026 festival in Jagdalpur by President Droupadi Murmu and Union home minister Amit Shah’s arrival in Raipur on a three-day visit.

Of the 51 surrendered cadres, 34 are women. While 30 Maoists, including 20 women, surrendered in Bijapur district, 21 others, including 14 women, joined the mainstream in neighbouring Sukma district under the ‘Poona Margem’ (from rehabilitation to social reintegration) initiative of the Bastar police, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said.

In Bijapur, the Maoists, belonging to the south sub-zonal bureau, surrendered before senior police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers. Of the 30 cadres, Boti Podiyam alias Malla (23), a platoon party committee member, Sukhram Madkam (24) and Reena Punem (25), both party members of different Maoist companies, carried a reward of ₹8 lakh each.

Sundarraj said the surrendered Maoists cited disillusionment with Maoist ideology and said they were impressed by the state government’s surrender and rehabilitation policy.

He added that the development was the result of the state government’s comprehensive anti-Maoist policy, sustained operations by security forces, and coordinated efforts focused on peace, dialogue and development.

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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