Surge in Maoists giving up arms as security forces tighten grip

The surge has been prompted by security forces stepping up their operations against the insurgents after establishing camps in affected areas.

A large number of cadres are deserting the Communist Party of India (Maoist)-led insurgency fearing they will be killed or arrested in ground operations being carried out by security forces in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, people familiar with the development said on Saturday.

In total 490 Maoists surrendered before the authorities in 2022, while 370 laid down arms in 2023. (PTI)

In a typical year, around 400 Maoists surrendered in the affected areas, but in the four months this year, some 240 insurgents have already laid down arms either with the state police or the Central